Intra-Libyan national conference scheduled for July in Addis Ababa
Brazzaville, Congo (PANA) - The members of the Contact Group of the High Level Committee of the African Union (AU) on Libya, who met on Thursday in Oyo, about 400 km from Brazzaville, have decided to hold the Intra-Libyan national conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, next July.
"The Contact Group has decided to hold the Intra-Libyan National Conference in July 2020 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in accordance with the decision of the African Union Conference of Heads of State and Government in 2018," a statement issued at the end of the meeting said.
The Contact Group discussed the practicalities of holding the Intra-Libyan National Reconciliation Conference, taking into account the principles of inclusiveness and representation that enable the whole Libyan society to take action in accordance with the roadmap, under the terms of reference of the preparatory commission and the facilitation committee.
In addition, the Contact Group recalled the decisions of the AU Conference on Libya, adopted at the 33rd session of the AU Conference of Heads of State and Government, held on 9 and 10 February 2020, in line with the conclusions of the Berlin Conference, which mandates the African Union to organise the Intra-Libyan Reconciliation Conference.
The members of the Contact Group reiterated "the strong condemnation of external interference, violation of the arms embargo, the presence, sending and use of external fighters on Libyan territory.
In addition, the Contact Group unequivocally condemned the continuation of such interference, mainly motivated by selfish interests and the plundering of Libya's natural resources.
To this end, the Contact Group recalled the framework of the AU-UN Peace and Security Partnership, ensuring that efforts were pooled and complemented.
It welcomed the UN Secretary-General's offer to host the African Union Mission within the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), in line with his commitments, which also include the African Union meetings of the Libyan Political Forum, including those of subcommittees from the Berlin Process.
The Contact Group reviewed the state of implementation of the Berlin Conference in an inclusive manner, including the establishment and respect of a general ceasefire throughout Libya, as well as political dialogue and economic and military issues.
The Contact Group reaffirmed the AU's determination to work closely and effectively with the United Nations to achieve significant progress as soon as possible.
It reviewed and agreed on the arrangements for the organisation of the Contact Group's work with the aim of ensuring the effectiveness of its work, with a view to enhancing the quality and impact of the AU's contributions to peace and the promotion of national reconciliation in Libya, in partnership with the United Nations and in cooperation with all international actors.
They stressed the need for strong cooperation with neighbouring countries and welcomed the work already done by the AU-UN-EU Working Group to rescue migrants detained in Libya and welcomed its decision to expand the mandate to include migrant trafficking in the region.
The Meeting of the Contact Group was attended by the Heads of State of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, Chairman of the Contact Group of the High Level Committee on Libya; Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa and Current AU chairman; Idriss Deby Itno, President of the Republic of Chad; Abdelaziz Djerad, Prime Minister of Algeria; and Sedki Sobhi, Assistant to the President of Egypt in charge of Defence.
The President of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smail Chergui, the High Representative of the African Union to silence arms, Ramtane Lamamra, and Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, from the Secretary-General's office also attended the meeting.
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