Panafrican News Agency

AU warns of threats of interference in Libyan affairs

Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has expressed concern over the worsening situation in Libya, warning of the threats posed by foreign interference in Libyan affairs.
 
Libya has been in the grip of a military escalation since 4 April following the military offensive against Tripoli launched by Marshal Khalifa Haftar, leader of the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA).

Russian, Sudanese and Chadian mercenaries have been fighting alongside Haftar, who also has support from Egypt and United Arab Emirates, among others.

Now, the Turkish Parliament has approved the sending of troops to support the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA).
 
In a statement released on Friday evening, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki said that "he is deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Libya and the prolongation of the suffering endured by the Libyan people".
 
"The various threats of political and military interference in the internal affairs of the country, increase the risks of a confrontation whose motives have nothing to do with the fundamental interests of the Libyan people and their aspirations for freedom, peace, democracy and development," he warned in his statement.     

The Chairperson of the Commission reiterated "the unshakeable commitment of the African Union to an inclusive political solution in which all actors, political and social, play the main role".

He called on the international community to join its efforts with those of Africa for the rapid promotion of a peaceful exit from this crisis with dangerous consequences in all respects for the country, the region and the entire continent.
 
The African Union is expected to participate in the Berlin Conference on Libya scheduled for the second half of January this year to declare a ceasefire and relaunch the political process as a prelude to a settlement agreement for the crisis between Libyans.
 
The African Union which invested heavily during the 32nd Ordinary Summit last February in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in the search for a solution in Libya through the adoption of a roadmap and the requirement to be associated by the United Nations in the efforts deployed in the Libyan crisis, has been marginalized.
 
A proposal to appoint a joint Special Envoy between the African Union and the United Nations has been refused by the United States and France.
-0- PANA BY/IS/KND/MA 4Jan2020