The conspicuous absence of the African Union in efforts to resolve the ongoing Libyan crisis is a deep blemish staining the reputation of the continental organisation, writes editorialist and expert in African geopolitics, Seidik Abba.
When Turkey decides to send troops to Libya, the African Union is apparently nowhere to be seen. Why?
It is clearly a resignation from the African Union.
Libya is an African country and we do not see the African Union looking for solutions to its crisis, even if it has created a committee to monitor this crisis and which is chaired by the Congolese president, Denis Sassou Nguesso.
The African Union is thus missing an opportunity to assume its leadership in a major crisis that is shaking the continent.
How can one explain this?
First, there is the fact that Africans do not share the same position.
Egypt has a partisan position and backs Khalifa Haftar, the general waging a long military campaign against the internationally backed government to take Tripoli.
The African Union had to reassert itself as a leader, as it did in Sudan.
We must assume and even take up the leadership in resolving this crisis for this will make the African Union more credible.
Is it still possible?
It’s never too late. We cannot settle the Libyan case without worrying about neighboring countries. We need an African solution. Everyone knows that the Libyan crisis has worsened the situation in the Sahel.
Weapons have been circulating ever since and jihadist fighters have infiltrated Libya.
There is today the need for an African solution in Libya. With better involvement of African actors, we could end this crisis.
Egypt’s Abdel Fatah Al Sissi chairs the African Union and supports one of the belligerents in the Libyan conflict, Khalifa Haftar.
Egypt’s position in the crisis is problematic given its lack of neutrality.
It supports Haftar and therefore not a credible actor. But we can only hope that as early as February when there is a new presidency of the African Union, it will be able to move the situation forward. It is a great hope for all.
What would be the solution for you?
The solution of the African Union is that we need a peaceful solution with a clear and precise agenda.
The solution is almost known. It is not a problem. But the fact that there is a presidency of the African Union with the president of a country who is not neutral is quite an issue.
This is why, there is the need for consultations, that the African solution be demanded and that neighboring countries be associated with its resolution.
But before Al Sissi’s became AU chair, the situation in Libya had already deteriorated.
It is true that the Libyan issue does not date from the election of the Egyptian leader as head of the African Union. But the situation has worsened. The level of interference was not at the same level. Haftar’s offensive on Tripoli dates back to April. Many countries have supported this offensive. Today the situation has completely deteriorated. You have to go fast. With African leadership, we can hope that the magic that has occurred in Sudan replicates itself in Libya.
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