War dominates Africa summit as leaders vow Libya support
Get link
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps
By
Explorer
-
The AU leadership has complained about being overlooked in Libya-related peacemaking efforts, which have been led primarily by the UN and heavily involved European nations.
As the 55-member group wrapped up a summit, Smail Chergui, the AU’s Peace and Security Council chief, offered assistance to revive Libya’s faltering peace process.
“It’s (the) UN itself which needs us now,” Chergui said. “It’s time to bring this situation to an end… the two organisations should work hand-in-hand for that goal,” he added.
Libya has been torn by fighting between rival factions since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who took over as AU chair on Sunday, has said Libya is one of two conflicts he wants to focus on during his tenure.
The other is South Sudan, where a civil war that began in 2013 has left hundreds of thousands dead — but talks on the sidelines of the AU summit ended in deadlock.
The two-day summit ended in the early hours of Tuesday morning, with the traditional closing session and press conference cancelled. The decisions adopted were expected to be announced later Tuesday.
– Divisions and disagreements –
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Saturday said he understood the AU’s “frustration” at having “been put aside” when it comes to Libya.
The North African state remains in chaos, mostly split between strongman Khalifa Haftar, who controls eastern Libya, and the UN-recognised government in Tripoli.
Talks between Libya’s warring factions ended on Saturday with no deal on a ceasefire. The UN has proposed a second round of negotiations for February 18.
Chergui said the AU could support peace if a cessation of hostilities agreement is finally signed, declaring the AU wanted to be part of an observer mission to ensure any deal is respected.
“This is an African problem, and we have a certain sense that maybe others do not have,” Chergui said.
Observers pointed out that the AU will need to overcome financial constraints and internal divisions if it wants to achieve its goal of “Silencing the Guns” — the theme of summit talks.
“The AU bandwidth on Libya cannot in any way be compared to the UN’s involvement, just in simple terms of knowledge and presence on the ground,” said Claudia Gazzini, from the International Crisis Group think-tank.
– Tough line on South Sudan –
Meanwhile, on South Sudan, leaders tried to bring longtime rivals together to reach a deal.
President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar face a deadline of February 22 to form a unity government — a milestone that was delayed twice last year.
Ramaphosa met separately with Kiir and Machar on Saturday, and the rivals sat down in the same room Sunday alongside Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok.
Hamdok is the current chair of the eight-member East African bloc IGAD, which has taken the lead in South Sudan peace negotiations.
But the flurry of activity on the sidelines of the AU summit did not result in a breakthrough in the dispute over the number of regional states in South Sudan — a contentious issue as the borders will set out divisions of power and control in the young country.
IGAD said that despite the lack of progress to date there could be no more delays in forming a power-sharing government.
Massive public protests taking place in Hong Kong over the past week are aimed at a new extradition law, known as the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance , that would see accused criminals extradited to mainland China to face prosecution. Hongkongers feel the law could be used to legalise the kidnapping of people who express views, and act in ways, that are not popular with the Chinese government . The same law could also be used to extradite tourists and visitors to China who are arrested on suspicion of having committed these crimes. Protesters want the bill scrapped. For now, debate of the legislation has been postponed . Organisers say one million people turned out for the protests, while police estimate the number was around 240,000. Either way, it was a significant number of Hong Kong’s 7.5 million population. Commentators on Twitter remarked on how well organised the protesters were. So, how did they do it? Protesters across the world are using n
There are very few There are very few countries in the world where the advancement of peace talks to end a decades old civil conflict leads two gorgeous women to strip naked and canoodle for a sexy magazine shoot. Israel and Palestine? Don't think so. North and South Korea? Wouldn't bet on it. Ukraine? Possibly, but not likely. Colombia, however... absolutely! With major breakthroughs occurring in the long-running peace talks between the Colombian government and the Marxist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group, a former member of Colombia's version of the FBI and a former guerrilla decided to give peace – and nude modelling – a chance. That's how Isabel Londono, a former member of Colombia's now defunct national intelligence agency DAS, ending up wearing a skimpy black bra and panties as a nude Ana Pacheco, an ex-FARC guerrilla, nestles up next to her for the cover shot of Soho, a Colombian men's magazine. "We have never gotten into
According to a video of interrogation of "Hamas terrorists" released by Israel Security Agency Shin Bet, accessed exclusively by News18, "The Shifa hospital has been made with many considerations as Hamas knew that medical places won’t be attacked by the enemy. Equipment, explosives and other material has been kept there." Hamas is using hospitals in Gaza as covers and have turned them into ammunition depots, according to a video of interrogation of “Hamas terrorists" released by Israel Security Agency Shin Bet, accessed exclusively by News18. ALSO READ | Israel-Hamas War LIVE Updates HERE The Israeli military has claimed that those featuring in the video released on Saturday are Hamas terrorists, who participated in the October 7 attack on Israel. “Most of the tunnels are hidden in hospitals. There are multiple underground levels. Al-Shifa Hospital is not small, it is a big place that can be used to hide things," a man is seen saying. “The Al-Shifa
Comments