Category: Africa News

Scheduled to end on Tuesday, the three-day talks in Cairo seek to identify the mechanisms of a settlement in Libya and the framework of a new constitution for the war-torn country….Reports Asian Lite News

Egypt hosted a new round of negotiations between Libya’s two rival administrations represented in members of Libya’s Tobruk-based House of Representatives and the High Council of State.

During the talks on Sunday, sponsored by the UN, Director of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel reiterated the country’s commitment to the UN-led efforts for a peaceful settlement in Libya, Xinhua news agency reported.

“It is time to fulfil the aspirations of the Libyan people for stability through pushing forward the political path so that Libya can have a constitution that defines authorities and responsibilities until reaching presidential and parliamentary elections,” Kamel said during the meeting.

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Scheduled to end on Tuesday, the three-day talks in Cairo seek to identify the mechanisms of a settlement in Libya and the framework of a new constitution for the war-torn country.

Meanwhile, Libya’s interim government appreciated Egypt’s effective role in preserving the security and unity Tripoli, calling on the parties to adhere to the outcome of the the talks.

Libya has been locked in a civil war since the ouster and killing of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The situation escalated in 2014, splitting power between two rival governments: the UN-backed Government of National Accord based in the capital Tripoli and another in the northeastern city of Tobruk allied with eastern-based military commander Khalifa Haftar.

In June, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi announced a Cairo-led initiative to end the Libyan internal conflict following his meeting with Haftar and Tobruk-based parliament speaker Aguila Saleh.

Also read:UN to resume intra-Libyan talks

UNSMIL confirmed that it will strive to ensure broad consultations, transparency, and a rights-based approach during this “Libyan-led and Libyan-owned” process…Reports Asian Lite News

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has announced the resumption of inclusive intra-Libyan political and military talks.

A statement posted on the UNSMIL’s website on Saturday said the goal of the resumed Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) will be “to generate consensus on a unified governance framework and arrangements” that will lead to the holding of early national elections in order to restore Libya’s sovereignty and the democratic legitimacy of Libyan institutions, reports Xinhua news agency.

“Participants in the LPDF will be drawn from key Libyan constituencies, based on the principles of inclusivity, fair geographic, ethnic, political, tribal, and social representation, and with a firm commitment to the meaningful participation of Libyan women and youth,” the statement said.

UNSMIL confirmed that it will strive to ensure broad consultations, transparency, and a rights-based approach during this “Libyan-led and Libyan-owned” process.

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“Responding to the recommendation received from a great majority of Libyan constituencies, UNSMIL has made it a requirement for the participants to the LPDF to recuse themselves from political and sovereign positions in any new executive arrangement and to convene in good faith, with a spirit of cooperation and solidarity in the interest of their nation and to refrain from the use of hate speech and incitement to violence,” the statement said.

It also urged a complete stand-down of all military maneuvers and reinforcements to enable an agreement on a lasting ceasefire, including a demilitarized zone in central Libya, as well as to create the space for constructive political discussions.

“The UN calls on all Libyans to take full advantage of this window of opportunity to restore lasting peace, security, prosperity, human rights and accountability for the Libyan people who have endured years of protracted conflict and political fragmentation,” it said.

According to the statement, the LPDF will be held according to a hybrid formula through a series of virtual sessions as well as face-to-face meetings, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Amid escalating violence and political division, Libya has been struggling to make a democratic transition ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi’s government in 2011.

The country has since been subject to escalating violence and chaos.

The situation escalated in 2014, splitting power between the UN-backed Government of National Accord based in Tripoli and the House of Representatives allied with the eastern-based Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Haftar.

Also read:UAE reaffirms call for peaceful settlement in Libya

The Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said Egypt has welcomed a peace deal signed between Sudan’s transitional government and rebel groups. He added that the move reflected “the rational African will” and ushered in a new era of hope and prosperity.

On Saturday, an Egyptian delegation, headed by Madbouly, witnessed the signing of the deal in the Sudanese city of Juba which will end the decades-long regional conflicts, the Al Ahram online newspaper reported.

The agreement was signed between the Sudanese transitional government, represented by paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, and the Sudan Revolutionary Front, which comprises rebel groups from the Darfur region, as well as the southern states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

Representing Egypt, Madbouly signed the deal as a guarantor.

The agreement was also signed by Chad, Qatar, the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU) and the UN, who also put their names to the agreement as guarantors.

Addressing the media later in the day, the Prime Minister said: “Egypt appreciates the serious and good efforts exerted by Sudan since the launch of the Juba negotiating platform, which has culminated with the inking of the final agreement.”

He further said “the enforcement of the deal is more important than signing it”, adding that political, economic, developmental, security, and social responsibilities oblige all signatories and regional and international parties to support post-peace entitlements, Al Ahram reported.

In a separate statement, the Egyptian cabinet said the move represented a decisive step in the efforts exerted over many decades to establish comprehensive peace throughout Sudan.

“Within the framework of the unified destiny and the bonds of brotherhood and solidarity that have brought the two countries together since ancient times, Egypt will spare no effort to work to support stability, prosperity and development throughout Sudan, in order to meet the legitimate aspirations of the brotherly Sudanese people for a better tomorrow,” it added.

Also Read: GCC welcomes Sudan peace agreement