UNITED NATIONS (AP) 鈥 Libya鈥檚 stability is at greater risk following recent militia clashes and amid turmoil in neighboring Sudan and Niger that could spill over into the oil-rich North African nation, the country's U.N. special envoy said Tuesday.
Abdoulaye Bathily told the U.N. Security Council that political divisions in Libya 鈥渁re fraught with risks of violence and disintegration for countries.鈥 He urged the country鈥檚 rival factions to .
鈥淚t is fundamental to restore Libya鈥檚 stability, to preserve regional security,鈥 he said. 鈥淲ithout an inclusive political agreement that paves the way for peaceful, inclusive and transparent elections across Libya, the situation will worsen and cause further suffering to the Libyan people.鈥
Libya plunged into chaos after a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. The country split in the chaos that followed, with backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
The country鈥檚 current political crisis stems from the failure to hold elections as scheduled on Dec. 24, 2021, and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah 鈥 who led a transitional government in the capital of Tripoli 鈥 to step down. In response, Libya鈥檚 east-based parliament appointed a rival prime minister, Fathy Bashagha, but suspended him in May. The powerful commander Khalifa Hifter continues to hold sway in the east.
Bathily expressed hope that discussions on amending draft election laws to tackle loopholes, inconsistencies and technical difficulties can be concluded in the coming weeks. The U.N. is working with all parties to also have a comprehensive political agreement on issues related to a new government and to ensure security and a level playing field for all candidates in the elections.
鈥淚 am optimistic,鈥 Bathily told reporters afterward. 鈥淚 cannot at this stage put a date. Of course, we have envisioned the election to take place in 2023 but what is important is that this agreement can become a reality.鈥
He told the council that was shattered Aug. 14-15 by , which reportedly killed at least 55 people and injured over 100, including an unspecified number of civilians.
He also pointed to fighting this month between 鈥渁rmed elements鈥 based in southern Libya and government troops in Chad's neighboring Tibesti region as another reason that political divisions in Libya 鈥渁re fraught with risks of violence and disintegration for countries.鈥
U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield condemned the fighting between militias in Tripoli and said instability in Sudan and Niger could spiral into wider violence. She said the Libyan people are ready for compromise and stability.
She also said the United States will continue to 鈥渟hine a spotlight on the Wagner Group鈥檚 pernicious impact in Libya and across Africa.鈥
Noting the Russian mercenary group operates in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Sudan, she said its leadership 鈥渉as made no secret of its ambition to gain a further foothold in Africa, and its disregard for Libya鈥檚 territorial integrity.鈥
Bathily confirmed that Wagner mercenaries are in Libya but said the U.N. has no information on the size of its presence or equipment.
In late March, he said, after visiting visited Sudan, Chad and Niger he was optimistic they would withdraw their fighters and mercenaries from Libya. But two weeks later, he noted, fighting erupted between rival generals in Sudan and last month the head of Niger鈥檚 presidential guard outsted the presidentd.
Bathily said Libya鈥檚 border with Sudan has been open to armed groups, mercenaries and gang leaders dealing in illegal migration, illegal mining, drug trafficking and other criminal activities. But so far, he said, there hasn鈥檛 been a big influx of Sudanese refugees to Libya.
As for Niger, Bathily said, like other countries in Africa鈥檚 Sahel region, it has been affected by the crisis in Libya. Some Nigeriens have joined mercenaries in Libya, and armed elements in Niger are active along the border.
If the Niger army breaks up, Bathily said, 鈥渢he destabilization of Niger will undoubtedly have consequences on Libya, and vice versa.鈥
