AU Reestablishes High Level Contact Group on Libya
The African Union decided to reactivate the “High Level Contact Group on Libya” through the establishment of a task force of five heads of state in a bid to end the war that has already killed thousands and forced millions to flee their homes.
The announcement was made by Smail Chergui, head of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, who told reporters that the war in Libya that has been going on for five years “is something that concerns us al.
“We do not believe at this time in a military solution to the Libyan crisis – that would further complicate the situation,” he said.
The presidents who would form the contact group have not been revealed, yet, Former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who stepped down from power last year, was named as the AU’s new special envoy to Libya replacing former Djibouti Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita.
Libya has two rival governments and two parliaments but it was the internationally-recognized Tobruk-based government that was present at the Au Summit in Addis-Ababa.
Having “a government in place” would help carry out effective action, Chergui said renewing AU’s resolve “to lend support to the ongoing efforts.”
The war in Libya is of major concern to African leaders, in view of the emergence of the Islamic State in the North African country and the increase of extremist attacks in countries along the Sahel.
Calls for a unity government that would help pacify the country and fight ISIS continue to be unheeded despite the signing of the Libyan Political Agreement in December.
