Libya reaffirms determination to activate strategic AU projects
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libya has reaffirmed the determination of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) to work towards activating several strategic projects that are in line with the African Union (AU) strategy on border management.
This was announced on Thursday by the deputy foreign minister in charge of political affairs, Mohamed Khalil Issa, at a meeting of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU).
He was making an intervention on behalf of Libya and the AMU, at a virtual meeting held by the PSC to discuss the implementation of the AU's border strategy. Libya is the current chairman of the AMU, which comprises Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia.
Speaking on behalf of the Libyan Foreign Minister, Mr. Issa said the issue of border control was one of the major challenges facing the African continent, given the rise in illegal immigration, and called for more positive cooperation among AU countries.
He emphasised that Libya was seeking, among other things, to activate all the provisions of the quadripartite agreement concluded between Libya, Chad, Niger and Sudan in May 2018.
This is to secure the common borders through the exchange of intelligence information, fight against border crimes of all kinds, and establish a consultative and practical framework to address security threats in the common border areas.
These actions will consolidate peace, security and development in the common border areas, and reduce the loss of lives in the Sahara Desert due to the difficulty of reaching their destination.
Mr. Issa stressed the need for African cooperation and integration, through the continental free trade area, which is an opportunity to reduce the flow of illegal immigration, and to allow African citizens to settle in their own countries, instead of running the risks of immigration and illegal border crossing.
He stressed that insecurity along the borders hinders legitimate business activities which are replaced by illegal activities and deprives local communities of economic and social benefits.
-0- PANA BY/JSG/BBA/MA 20Aug2021
