A3+ Statement delivered by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, at Security Council meeting on "The situation in Libya"
Mr. President,
I am honored to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3+, namely Algeria, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and my own country, Guyana.
At the outset, the A3+ expresses its sincere gratitude to Ms. Stephanie Koury, for her briefing. We also wish to thank Ambassador Yamazaki for his briefing on the work of the 1970 Sanctions Committee and recognize the presence of the Permanent Representative of Libya in today's meeting.
Mr. President,
This Council adopted resolution 1970 of 2011 with the objective of setting Libya on a path to peace and stability. However, the situation in the country has increasingly worsened, demanding the Council’s continued attention and action.
While the Council is committed to contributing to consolidating democracy and establishing a stable and prosperous Libyan State, those who benefit from the current status quo have continued to undermine the political process.
In this context, the A3+ calls for a renewed focus on the political track to facilitate a meaningful Libyan-led and Libyan-owned national dialogue among the country's major political stakeholders. We strongly encourage further steps forward in this regard to foster a clear path towards political normalcy.
Mr. President,
The A3+ expresses its deep concern regarding the recent unilateral actions taken by members of the House of Representatives, which violate the Libyan political Agreement and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Such acts serve to increase tension and undermine trust amongst Libyans. The A3+ reminds all political leaders of their commitments and obligations under the Libyan Political Agreement and all relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly resolution 2702 (2023).
We underscore the importance of ensuring optimal preparation for national elections while maintaining the ceasefire agreement and working to promote political dialogue between the parties. In this regard, the A3+ believes that this Council and the international community should refocus their attention on safeguarding all efforts to convene national elections.
We also stress the importance of coordinating with the mandated UN process to facilitate meaningful dialogue that will lead to practical and implementable solutions.
The A3+ stresses that convergence on the draft electoral laws must be central to any talks and regrets that progress made remains slow toward resolving the contested issues surrounding them. This emphasizes the urgent need to appoint an SRSG who can act as a conduit for future negotiations and break the political deadlock.
Mr. President,
The A3+ reaffirms our steadfast support for UNSMIL’s leadership and calls for the strengthening of UNSMIL’s mandate to navigate Libya’s complex political landscape and confront challenges to its peace and stability.
We are also concerned about the lack of Libyan women’s participation in shaping the future of their country. There are no women in the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission on Security Arrangements, or the 6+6 Libyan Joint Committee for Preparing Electoral Laws and their representation has been low at every level, even though Security Council resolution 2702, adopted in 2023, urged Libyan institutions and authorities to ensure the full, equal, effective, meaningful, and safe participation of women at all levels. In fact, commitments to women’s representation in Libya have shrunk from 30 percent to 25 percent, and now to a shocking 6 percent.
In this context, the A3+ reiterates its call on all Libyan stakeholders to support women and youth`s full, equal, safe, meaningful, and effective participation in the UNSMIL's mediation efforts. Their participation in the process is also crucial for durable peace. We are also encouraged by UNSMIL's work through the YouEngage strategy, particularly its recent work with youth, to address the impacts of climate change in Libya and promote youth participation in climate action.
The A3+ continues to be concerned about the ongoing security challenges in Libya.
While we are heartened that the 2020 ceasefire agreement still holds, we regret that the overall security situation remains volatile. The A3+ is alarmed at and unequivocally condemns the killing of a child in southern Tripoli, and the killing of innocent civilians in other parts of Tripoli, due to clashes between armed groups.
We share UNSMIL’s concern regarding the recent mobilization of forces in various parts of Libya, particularly in the southern and western regions, and the possibility of confrontations. We urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any provocative actions that could jeopardize Libya’s fragile stability and the safety of its people, as well as the critical 2020 ceasefire agreement.
We also condemn threats, attacks, and the killing of women participating in public life, including women human rights defenders, and urge UNSMIL to prioritize all activities related to the protection and promotion of human rights, including stronger coordination in cases of reprisals against women human rights defenders.
We also call on the Libyan authorities, particularly the 5+5 Joint Military Commission, to prevent these attacks against civilians and remind those instigating the clashes, of their obligation under international humanitarian law to protect civilians during armed conflict.
Mr. President,
The impact of the conflict in Sudan, on achieving lasting peace and security in the region, is apparent and of grave concern to the A3+. It demonstrates that these conflicts are intertwined, emphasizing the urgent need for a coordinated effort to prevent further escalation.
Additionally, the prolongation of the Libyan crisis is linked to some external actors that have significantly contributed to Libya’s instability by funneling money and weapons to various proxies, placing their narrow interests above the well-being of the Libyan population.
The A3+ once again calls for the urgent, immediate, and unconditional withdrawal of all foreign forces, fighters, and mercenaries from Libya to foster a conducive environment that ensures complementarity along both tracks.
We, therefore, urge that all parties and stakeholders respect the Libyan arms embargo to prevent further conflagration in a region already gripped by high levels of conflict. The A3+ calls for the rigorous and transparent enforcement of the arms embargo and supports all efforts in this regard. We believe that these are crucial to de-escalating tensions, protecting civilians and creating an environment conducive for a political solution in Libya.
Mr. President,
On the Humanitarian track, the A3+ acknowledges the recently issued report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the human rights concerns and other challenges faced by migrants and refugees in Libya. The report reinforces the need for concrete international cooperation to address urgent human rights, humanitarian, and protection issues facing migrants in Libya, to ensure their safety and dignity
Further, the A3+ appreciates the convening of the Trans-Mediterranean Migration Forum in Tripoli, which was convened to promote a human rights-based approach to migration governance in the region.
We are alarmed that over 96,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in Libya since the conflict in Sudan began in April 2023. In this regard, the A3+ reiterates the importance of facilitating full equal and safe access to humanitarian aid for refugees.
In closing, Mr. President, while acknowledging that Libya is at a crossroads, we look forward to the convening of the country's National Reconciliation Conference, which can help to mend the divisions within the Libyan society and direct the path to national unity. Libya deserves no less.
I thank you.
