ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 29, 2016/APO (African Press Organization)/ —
CONCLUSIONS
The International Contact Group for Libya (ICG-L) convened its 5th meeting, at the ministerial level in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 28 January 2016, on the margins of the 26th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. The meeting was co-chaired by the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smaïl Chergui, and the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative for Libya, Martin Kobler. The list of countries and organizations that attended the meeting is indicated below.[1]
On the basis of the updates provided by the AU Commission, the UN Special Representative for Libya, Algeria, Egypt and Chad, on behalf of the Ministerial Committee of Libya’s Neighbors, as well as by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Libya, participants reviewed the evolution of the situation in Libya since the 4th meeting of the ICG-L, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 12 June 2015. They also reviewed the efforts being made at the regional, continental, and international levels in order to facilitate an inclusive political dialogue among the Libyan stakeholders.
Participants welcomed the signing of the Libya Political Agreement (LPA) on 17 December 2015, as well its adoption by the House of Representatives (HoR) on Monday 26 January 2016, and stressed that only through unified state institutions that enjoy broad popular support can Libya address the numerous political, economic, security and humanitarian challenges facing the country.
In this regard, participants welcomed the statement issued by the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, welcoming the signing of LPA. Similarly, participants welcomed UNSCR 2259, which backs and grants international legitimacy to the LPA to form a Government of National Accord (GNA), and called on Libyans to unite behind the Libya Political Agreement and engage positively to complete Libya’s political transition with the objective of ending violence, and promoting national reconciliation, based on the preservation of Libya’s sovereignty, independence unity and territorial integrity, as well as on the respect of the will of the Libyan people.
Participants strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks and expressed their profound concern about the increasing terrorist threats in the country, and the environment that it has created for expansion of terrorist groups and their activities. In the recent months, the so-called Islamic State expanded its control to Syrte and the surrounding areas, as well as to new territories, including Sebrata (west of Tripoli). As these are threats to Libya, as well as to the neighboring countries, participants further stressed the urgent need to combat it by the new Libyan government and the international community to eradicate this menace.
In this connection, participants welcomed AU’s commitment to assist in the consolidation of the Government of National Accord. Of these initiatives, mention should be made of AU’s expressed readiness to provide assistance in security sector reform as well as sharing of its experience to help the process of national reconciliation and healing. Full support in training and the provision of equipment shall be provided to the National Army after the confirmation of the Government by Parliament, in accordance with UNSC Resolution 2214.
Participants reiterated their grave concern about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Libya including the spread of criminal networks involved in human trafficking and smuggling, as well as ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. They underlined the need for a holistic and concerted approach, promoting development, and facilitating legal migration, based on the respect of international human rights and refugee law.
Participants commended the efforts of neighboring countries, the African Union, the League of Arab States, and the European Union through concerted efforts that contribute to peace and stability in Libya. In this connection, Participants welcomed the convening of the 7th meeting of the foreign ministers of Libya’s neighboring countries, in Algiers, Algeria, on 1 December 2015, as well as the final communiqué adopted on that occasion, as well as the International Meeting on Libya, held in Rome, on 13 December 2015.
Participants underscored the importance of coordinated international action and continuous consultations and information sharing through the platform provided by the ICG-L under the joint leadership of the African Union and the United Nations in facilitating such efforts. They reiterated their commitment to strengthen the ICG-L to enhance coordination, harmonization and effectiveness of international engagement on Libya, while strengthening Libyan ownership. The meeting stressed that the LPA is the only way forward and, no other initiative should be undertaken without AU/UN involvement.
In view of the increased security threats in the region and the south-ward expansion of Daesh, participants called for the convening of meeting of the ICG-L on the issue as soon as possible.
Participants thanked the AU Commission for the adequate arrangements made to ensure the successful convening of the 5th meeting of the ICG-L. They agreed to convene their next meeting at a date to be agreed through consultations.
[1] Algeria, Angola, Chad, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Libya, Niger, Nigeria, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, The Sudan, Tunisia, UK, USA, Zimbabwe, AU, CEN-SAD, EU, LAS, OIC and UN.
