The African Union (AU) committee for Libya embarked on a visit to Tripoli on Sunday, followed by Benghazi on Monday and Tuesday, May 6th and 7th. The objective: once again endeavoring to persuade Libyans to agree on an inclusive national conference before elections.
This move comes as the resigning UN Special Envoy, Abdoulaye Bathily, prepares to depart the country. The conference was initially scheduled for April 28th but was indefinitely postponed due to persistent challenges, which the delegation aims to address.
Leading the delegation is Jean-Claude Gakosso, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Congo, whose country currently chairs the high-level committee for Libya. He is accompanied by Mauritanian diplomat Mohamed el Hacen Ould Lebatt, an advisor to the African Union (AU) on reconciliation.
In Libya, the delegation conducted a series of meetings in various regions but continues to face challenges and obstacles from Libyan parties. “It is important to rebuild trust among the different parties,” stated Abdallah al Lafi, head of the Libyan Presidential Council responsible for reconciliation, after meeting with the African delegation in Tripoli yesterday.
Revitalizing the Reconciliation Process
In Benghazi, Hadi Lehwayej, the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the government recognized by the Parliament in the east, received the delegation. The focus was on revitalizing the reconciliation process, described as “an important national project” fully embraced by the Libyan eastern government “since its inception,” according to a statement from the ministry. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Congo, Jean-Claude Gakosso, also held extensive discussions with Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
Jean-Claude Gakosso emphasized that these ongoing efforts, spanning years, are part of consolidating the reconciliation process, without which the upcoming elections could be a new source of violence.