The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General concluded this week a first tour in three neighboring countries located in the south of Libya: Sudan, Chad and Niger. During this tour, there was talk of restoring peace and stability in Libya. Mercenaries and foreign forces, as well as the proliferation of weapons, constitute, according to the UN, a permanent threat to peace and stability in Libya. According to a press release from the United Nations, this trip was aimed at increasing coordination on these subjects between these three countries and Libya.
In Khartoum, N’Djamena and Niamey, Abdoulaye Bathily met the highest officials who all assured him of their support and cooperation.
The special envoy called on the international community to support a “coordinated and balanced” process for the withdrawal of foreign fighters from Libya.
He also stressed the importance of allocating the necessary funding and technical assistance to face this common challenge.
Abdoulaye Bathily also seeks, as he explained, to avoid the negative impacts -of withdrawal- on the countries of origin “.
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Moreover, he considered that the withdrawal, associated with the maintenance of security at the common borders, will bring stability to Libya and will reduce the trafficking of human beings, weapons, and drugs, as well as the trafficking resulting from research. illegal minerals.
The Libyan 5+5 military committee had already established liaison committees in Niger, Chad and Sudan to increase cooperation and exchanges regarding mercenaries. Abdoulaye Bathily’s tour intervenes to reinforce these common efforts.
Several observers note, however, that he did not meet the leaders of armed factions in Chad and Sudan. However, they are the ones who are in direct contact with the fighters in Libya.
2/2 these arrangements will reduce the alarming rates of human trafficking, arms and drugs smuggling, illegal mining, and will help limit the movement of extremists along the southern borders of #Libya.https://t.co/1gvbDfi5Rb
— SRSG Abdoulaye Bathily (@Bathily_UNSMIL) April 5, 2023
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