A3+ Statement delivered by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone, at Security Council Briefing on the Situation in Libya
Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3+, namely Algeria, Guyana, Mozambique, and my own country Sierra Leone.
The A3+ thanks Ms. Stephanie Koury, DSRSG and head of UNSMIL, for her update on the situation in Libya. We also wish to thank Ambassador Yamazaki, for his briefing on the work of the 1970 Sanctions Committee. We recognize the presence of the Permanent Representative of Libya in today’s meeting.
Mr. President,
The A3+ expresses sincere appreciation to former SRSG, Mr. Abdoulaye Bathily, for his unwavering commitment to fostering peace, stability, and unity in Libya. His tireless efforts have instilled hope among the Libyan people during their pursuit of a peaceful transition. Mr. Bathily’s adept leadership and diplomatic skills have significantly contributed to advancing the political process, despite the numerous challenges.
As we reaffirm our steadfast support for the UNSMIL mandate and its leadership, we note that the resignation of Mr. Bathily as Special Representative of the Secretary General occurs at a critical juncture, as Libya continues to navigate a complex political landscape and confronts ongoing challenges to peace, stability, and prosperity.
In this regard, it is crucial that the Secretary-General appoints a successor promptly.
Mr. President,
In today’s meeting, the A3+ wishes to focus on the following points:
On the political situation, we note with grave concern that the continued political stalemate, the deepening political divide, and the lack of progress to foster common ground to agree on electoral laws continues to undermine the political momentum towards national elections in Libya. We hope Libyans will not be made to wait a day longer to realize their aspirations for a stable, prosperous, peaceful, secure, and democratic Libya.
The A3+ believes that ending Libyans’ political stalemate and holding elections to unify Libya is a race against time. In this context, the A3+ reiterates its call on all stakeholders to support and fully engage in the mediation efforts of the UNSMIL. We would like to highlight the importance of women and youth’s full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation in all political processes in Libya, as well in social, cultural, and economic development.
We also call the political actors to move from their entrenched institutional and political positions, resolve their differences, build consensus, and facilitate the holding of national elections that will propel Libya towards a peaceful and prosperous future.
The Security Council must remain committed to an inclusive, Libyan-led, and Libyan-owned political process facilitated by the United Nations, building on relevant Security Council resolutions and agreements, towards the holding of national elections in Libya.
Mr. President,
On the security situation the A3+ is concerned about the ongoing security challenges in Libya, where intermittent clashes and tensions persist between armed groups, despite the 2020 ceasefire agreement generally holding.
However, the A3+ believes that as long as the political trajectory in Libya remains frozen, the country will continue to be a security risk. The absence of a cohesive governing body and unified security forces will continue to provide an opportunity for armed and criminal groups to regain their presence in the country. We also believe that in the absence of a united stance from the UN Security Council for a strong position on Libya, external influences will continue to act unilaterally in Libya.
The complexity of Libya’s political landscape is further compounded by the diverse influences exerted by a myriad of regional and external actors, each shaping the political climate to suit their respective interests. This is the time for this Council to forge a collaborative effort to avert the situation where Libya will be at great risk of turning into safe haven for different non-state armed groups affiliated with terrorist groups, operating in the neighbouring Sahel region.
Recognizing the harmful influence of external actors, the A3+ emphasizes the imperative need for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces, fighters, and mercenaries from Libya. This withdrawal is essential for creating a conducive environment that fosters the political process, ensures security and stability, and preserves Libya's unity, independence, and territorial integrity.
We take note of the meeting of the Libyan security institutions and actors that was held in Tunis, on 30th and 31st May, to discuss a common code of conduct. Such a discussion is essential to establish a unified and coordinated approach to security, which will help to address the country's complex security challenges, end violence, and ensure the protection of civilians. We, therefore, encourage and support such efforts that aim to reunify Libyan institutions.
While we are heartened that the 2020 ceasefire agreement still holds, the impact of the conflict in Sudan on achieving lasting peace and security in the region is apparent and of grave concern for the A3+. It demonstrates that these conflicts are intertwined, as Libya has seen an uptake in the use of the Kufra region by Sudanese fighters as a base to carry out incursions into Sudan. At the same time, Libya is considered a hub for obtaining vehicles and weapons.
In this context, the A3+ raises today with grave concerns the ongoing violations and lack of compliance with the arms embargo in Libya, which paints a disturbing picture, revealing the arms embargo to be "totally ineffective".
The arms embargo is a crucial part of the international community's strategy to protect civilians and create an environment conducive to a political solution in Libya. The A3+ urges all Member States to fully respect and enforce the arms embargo through robust implementation and accountability for violations. Increasing transparency will only enhance the legitimacy and effective implementation of the Libya arms embargo.
Mr. President,
Libya's reconciliation process is a vital step towards mending the divisions within Libyan society and fostering a sense of national unity. We, therefore, urge all Libyans to embrace this process with sincerity of purpose and commitment, striving for forgiveness, understanding, and mutual respect.
In this regard, the A3+ recognises the efforts of UNSMIL and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for facilitating a collaborative process last May, bringing together legislators, legal experts and civil society actors to draft reconciliation legislation.
This crucial initiative is essential to promote accountability, justice, and national reconciliation in Libya. We also acknowledge the dedication and commitment of all parties involved in this important endeavor.
The A3+ eagerly awaits the rescheduling of the National Reconciliation Conference, a crucial step towards unity, stability, and prosperity in Libya that has been postponed indefinitely due to divisions among the Libyan Leaders. We remain hopeful that the conference will take place soon, bringing together Libyan stakeholders to foster dialogue, understanding, and a shared vision for the future.
In this regard, while welcoming the role that the African Union (AU) has been playing through its High-Level Committee on Libya, the A3+ request that the AU continues its efforts towards the holding of the Conference.
Mr. President,
On the humanitarian front, the A3+ reiterates the need to ease access of humanitarian aid for the benefit of population and calls on all Libyan leaders to fulfil their responsibility and coordinate efforts.
Almost a year after the devastation brought on by the Derna flooding, the A3+ remains committed to supporting the establishment of a coordinated mechanism to address the humanitarian needs of the people of Derna and the surrounding areas in eastern Libya. The reconstruction of the region's health, education, and other critical infrastructure is also vital. We, therefore, commend those Member States that contributed humanitarian aid and hasten our calls on the relevant actors to ensure that additional assistance is delivered unimpeded.
Devastating floods triggered by Storm Daniel highlight the urgent need for streamlined humanitarian exemptions to deliver aid swiftly to crisis-stricken populations.
The A3+ calls for revising relevant resolutions to permit the use of military transportation assets for emergency relief operations, ensuring that this aligns with the core objectives of the arms embargo. This would empower the international community to respond more rapidly and effectively to alleviate suffering when natural disasters strike. By ensuring flexibility while maintaining rigorous oversight, countless lives could be saved through the timely provision of critical aid to those in desperate need.
We also reiterate our deep concern about the continued dire situation of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Libya that continue to be exposed to serious protection risks. We, therefore, urge the Libyan authorities, with the support of the international community, to work effectively to improve the plight of migrants and refugees in Libya, consider alternatives to detention, and hold migrant smugglers and other perpetrators accountable.
We continue to reiterate our call for improved protection and humanitarian assistance for migrants in Libya, and for efforts to address the root causes of migration.
Mr. President, while reaffirming our unwavering solidarity with the resilient people of Libya during these challenging times, we, the A3+, reiterate our call for genuine political will to guide Libya toward a brighter future.
Mr. President,
Before concluding our statement today, the A3+ wishes to express grave concerns regarding the obstacles elected members are facing in accessing the Security Council's documentation, predating the commencement of their mandate in the Council.
The requests made to obtain documents that are crucial for informed decision-making have been met with objections and obstacles, without any legally conclusive reasoning or explanation.
The A3+ urges Council members to seriously consider this issue to ensure that all members have full, unconditional, and timely access to the Security Council's documentation and reports, without any exceptions or delays. Otherwise, the Security Council’s transparency and credibility will be dramatically questioned.
Unimpeded access to all communications is essential for the Council members to fulfil their mandate effectively and make well-informed decisions that uphold international peace and security.
I Thank You!
