–UN, AU Laud Move, Commend Factions
Months after displacing millions of their citizens, warring parties in Libya have agreed to a ceasefire thereby making a commitment to nation building.
Recall that in April 2019, the Libyan National Army (LNA), according a United Nations’ report, launched an attack on the country leading to serious confrontations with the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), with devastating effects on the country.
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But, after two days of person-to-person talks between the two Libyan delegations in Geneva, both parties signed an agreement known as the “5+5 Joint Military Commission,” which is geared toward defending the country’s sovereignty.
In a tweet on Friday, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, said the development was a breakthrough in the push for the country’s stability.
“I welcome the signing of a ceasefire agreement by the Libyan parties in Geneva under the auspices of the @UN.
“This is a fundamental step toward peace and stability.
“Too many people have suffered for too long. Too many men, women and children have died as a result of the conflict,” he tweeted.
On his part, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, urged the delegations not to flout the agreement to the detriment of Libya.
“I welcome the signature of a ceasefire in #Libya and call for all parties to respect the letter and spirit of this important development.
“The Libyan people deserve a permanent respite from conflict in order to begin the process of reconciliation and peace-building in the country,” he said in a statement on Friday.
Meanwhile, the United States Secretary of States, Mike Pompeo, advised that lasting peace in Libya could only be realised if foreign powers stopped interfering in its internal affairs.
” I want to commend the Libyans’ reassertion of sovereignty as they take steps toward a lasting ceasefire during @UN-facilitated talks in Geneva this week. We repeat our call for all foreign forces to leave the country, and let Libyans decide their own future,” he tweeted.