NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES
-
South Africa has decided to deport 95 Libyan nationals who were arrested at a suspected illegal military camp in Mpumalanga, according to EWN news. This follows the withdrawal of charges by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which had initially accused the group of violating the Immigration Act. The Libyans were detained in July after a police raid on a farm in White River uncovered military tents, training equipment, firearms, dagga, and cocaine.
- The Emergency and Ambulance Services reported the tragic death of three children due to severe floods that have struck the Tehala region, located 60 kilometers from Ghat. The service announced via its official Facebook page that efforts are ongoing to rescue elderly residents from the affected area. The floods have now reached the Tinkauya area in Al-Barkat. Libya’s Interior Minister, Essam Abu Zeriba, appointed by the parliament-designated government, has directed the security directors of Sebha, Al-Shati, and Ubari, along with the central support branches in the southern region, to dispatch four-wheel-drive vehicles to Ghat, particularly to the Tehala area, to provide necessary support.
-
Sudan’s Humanitarian Disaster Drives Tens of Thousands to Libya. A massive humanitarian crisis is unfolding as nearly 100,000 Sudanese refugees, fleeing the brutal conflict in their homeland, have crossed into Libya. This surge has overwhelmed the already fragile infrastructure of the war-torn nation, leading the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to declare an emergency in southern Libya. Since the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023, civilians have been caught in the crossfire between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. The conflict has devastated Sudan, forcing millions to flee their homes. As the situation continues to deteriorate, tens of thousands are making the perilous journey across the Sahara Desert to seek safety in Libya.
- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 775 irregular migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya while attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe between 4th and 10th August. According to the IOM’s Libya office, a total of 17,190 migrants have been intercepted and returned to Libya so far in 2023, with 962 recorded deaths and 1,536 missing persons during these attempts. In comparison, during 2022, 24,684 migrants were returned to Libya, with 529 deaths and 848 reported missing.
NATIONAL POLITICS AND SOCIAL ISSUES
- Libyan House of Representatives Speaker, Ageela Saleh, announced that 50 MPs have submitted a memorandum to terminate the mandate of Abdul-Hamid Dbaiba’s Government of National Unity (GNU). The memorandum asserts that the government appointed by the House of Representatives (HoR), led by Osama Hammad, should be recognised as the legitimate government. It also calls for the transfer of the title of Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces from the Presidential Council to the Speaker of the HoR, as stipulated in the Constitutional Declaration.
- Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasised Egypt’s ongoing endeavors to facilitate resolution efforts in Libya, alongside other regional crises. Speaking at a sideline meeting in Kigali with his Rwandan counterpart Olivier Nduhungirehe during the inauguration ceremony of President Paul Kagame, Abdelatty underscored Egypt’s commitment to African-centric solutions for continental issues, specifically highlighting the complex political situation in Libya. Since March 2022, Libya has been governed by two administrations: the internationally recognised Government of National Unity (GNU) led by Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba in Tripoli, and the eastern-based government appointed by the House of Representatives, headed by Prime Minister Osama Hammad in Benghazi. The political divide has escalated tensions, impeding the long-awaited presidential and parliamentary elections. Disagreements over election laws and oversight continue to thwart progress towards unification.
- Youssef Al-Agouri, a member of the Libyan House of Representatives and Chairman of its Foreign Affairs Committee, has called for the international community to respect Libya’s Constitutional Declaration and recognize the government that legitimately represents the will of the people. In statements reported by “Akhbar Libya 24,” Al-Agouri emphasized that the House of Representatives is the only legitimate body representing the Libyan people, and it alone has the authority to appoint the legitimate government responsible for diplomatic relations and enhancing cooperation with neighboring and friendly countries.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
- Libya and the Sultanate of Oman have taken steps to deepen their bilateral relations, with senior officials from both nations meeting in Muscat to discuss ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors. The meeting was led by Mohamed Khalil Issa, Libya’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, and Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Omani Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs. During the talks, the two sides focused on the latest political developments in Libya, emphasizing the importance of sustained collaboration to support Libya’s ongoing efforts toward stability and governance. The discussions also touched on key regional issues, highlighting the broader implications of Libya’s political situation in the Middle East and North Africa.
