Special Representative Abdoulaye Bathily told the Security Council that since the end of 2022, UN-led efforts to resolve Libya’s political crisis have encountered national and regional pushbacks, “revealing an intentional defiance to engage in earnest and a tenacity to perpetually delay elections”.

Resignation tendered

Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters outside the Council in New York following his briefing, the envoy confirmed reports that he had submitted his resignation to the Secretary-General.

He told ambassadors minutes earlier that “with a deep sense of disappointment, it is disheartening to witness individuals in positions of power putting their personal interests above the needs of their country.’

He emphasized the necessity for Libyan leaders to prioritize national interests over personal ones, urging them to reach a political settlement through negotiations and compromise.

“We cannot allow the aspirations of 2.8 million registered Libyan voters to be overshadowed by the narrow interests of a few,” he added.

Entrenched positions persist

Mr. Bathily told ambassadors the five key Libyan stakeholders – Mohamed Takala, President of the High Council of State; Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, Government of National Unity Prime Minister; Agila Saleh, Speaker of the House of Representatives; General Khalifa Haftar, Commander of the LNA; and Mohamed al-Menfi, President of the Presidential Council – have not budged from their preconditions to attend the talks.

“Despite continuous and extensive engagement with the main institutional actors, their persistent positions are significantly impeding efforts to advance the political process,” Mr. Bathily remarked.

He also noted that the complexities were exacerbated by an “apparent agreement” between the Mr. al-Menfi, Mr. Saleh and Mr. Takala, according to a joint statement following a trilateral meeting in March in Cairo, with which the UN was not associated.

“My subsequent discussions with the leaders who participated in the Cairo meeting revealed diverging interpretations of and lack of details on its outcome. There is also lack of buy-in among those Libyan leaders who were not part of the meeting,” he said.

Economy ‘severely strained’

On the economic front, Mr. Bathily, who also heads the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), highlighted a worsening economic situation and warnings by the Central Bank of an impending liquidity crisis.

He informed ambassadors of a temporary surcharge on official foreign currency exchange, combined with the declining value of the Libyan dinar and restricted access to foreign currencies, which has fuelled public anger amid growing concerns over rising prices for essential goods and services.

“It is imperative for Libyan authorities to address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of persistent harmful economic and financial practices,” the UN envoy said, calling on the authorities to promptly agree a national budget and better manage State resources.

Tense security situation

Mr. Bathily also highlighted a tense security situation in several parts of the country, including major cities like Tripoli and Misrata.

“The presence of armed actors and heavy weaponry in Libya’s capital is of strong concern as it constitutes a significant threat to the safety of the civilian population,” he warned, emphasizing that any escalation of tensions in Libya would exacerbate instability not only in Chad, Niger, and Sudan but also across the wider region of the Sahel.

He also voiced concern over the continuing plight of migrants as well as a sharp rise in abductions, disappearances, and arbitrary arrests against a backdrop of entrenched impunity that has undermined fundamental freedoms.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

Multinational energy company Oando PLC has joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy 2024 conference and exhibition as a diamond sponsor. As an African independent, Oando PLC’s sponsorship and partnership speaks to the caliber of the conference – taking place in Cape Town from November 4-8 – as a premier event for the African oil and gas industry.

Oando PLC company signed an $800 million loan document with pan-African financial institution the African Export-Import Bank in November last year to facilitate the acquisition of 100% of the shares of exploration and production company the Nigerian Agip Oil Company. The transaction will see Oando PLC’s participation interest in OML 60, 61, 62 and 63 – situated in the northern Niger Delta – increase from 20% to 40%. During AEW 2024: Invest in African Energy, the company will outline how this strategic acquisition supports the company’s growth objectives in Africa.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

As a well-established energy company with an impressive portfolio of assets in the oil and gas sector, Oando PLC is responsible for driving a diverse range of assets, which include exploration, development and production for onshore and offshore activities Nigeria. Currently, its producing assets include Qua Iboe (OML 13), Ebendo Field (OML 56), OML 60, OML 61, OML 62 and OML 63. Meanwhile the company’s promising pipeline of development assets include OML 90 and OML 122, which hold tremendous potential for bolstering Oando PLC’s operational capacity. Furthermore, in the realm of exploration, Oando PLC holds interests in several strategic assets including OMLs 321 and 323 as well as Blocks 5 and 12, OML 131 and OML 145.

Oando has stepped in as a strong partner for African countries, taking over high potential onshore assets with the aim of gradually growing reserves. Boasting a number of strategic partnerships and with a focus on sustainable growth, Oando PLC is well-positioned to harness the full potential of Africa’s energy resources and create long-term value for the company’s stakeholders. With a diverse and robust array of assets, Oando PLC has established a firm foundation for its business operations, ensuring a strong and sustainable presence in the dynamic and ever-evolving oil and gas sector.

“Oando PLC is a renowned leader in sustainability and clean energy efforts, with a strong commitment to driving successful oil and gas project developments in Africa,” states African Energy Chamber Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk. “The company sets an inspiring example for the entire industry, laying the groundwork for a more prosperous future for the continent.”

Oando PLC’s activities in oil and gas exploration, production and development are poised to play a significant role in meeting Africa’s energy demand, a key premise of AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024, which will be held under the theme Energy Growth through an Enabling Environment. In doing so, the company is well-positioned to contribute to the event’s stated goal of eradicating energy poverty on the continent by 2030.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

The UN-backed $3.24 billion humanitarian response plan for 2024 is only five per cent funded. 

Organised by the UN along with the Governments of Ethiopia and the United Kingdom, the conference aims to hear commitments that will enhance life-saving aid to approximately 15.5 million people in 2024. An immediate funding of $1 billion is required to sustain aid delivery for the next five months.

The crisis has escalated due to recurring cycles of droughts, floods, and conflict. Food insecurity and malnutrition are anticipated to affect 10.8 million people during the lean season from July to September.

A multi-factor crisis

Around 4.5 million people have been displaced from their homes, raising concerns about public health and protection services. The El Niño phenomenon has worsened drought conditions in the northern highlands, leading to decreased water availability, parched pastures, and reduced harvests. 

Malnutrition rates in many areas including Afar, Amhara, and Tigray continue to worsen, highlighting the critical need for funding.

“Conflicts have destroyed thousands of schools, health facilities, water systems and other community infrastructure. And that adds to the difficulty,” said Ramiz Alakbarov, UN’s Assistant Secretary-General and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia, adding that security and safety of humanitarian workers is still an issue in “many parts of Ethiopia”. 

The Ethiopian government has recently endorsed a new national policy for disaster risk management and committed $250 million for food support in the coming months. Additionally, regional governments and the country’s private sector have allocated further domestic resources for emergency response.

Strength in numbers

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Joyce Msuya, closed the event with an Amharic proverb that translates as “when spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion”.

“It suggests that when people come together, as we have done this afternoon, we can accomplish formidable tasks and overcome great challenges”, she added. 

She praised the 21 cash pledges led by the United States which promised $253 million, and the UK with $125 million, saying it showed “the power of unity and collective effort in achieving shared goals” on behalf of the Ethiopian people.

WHO ‘cannot continue’ work without cash injection

Speaking for the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Mike Ryan told the conference a cholera outbreak was now in its 20th month with over 41,000 cases, and malaria cases are already over 1.1 million for the year.

These outbreaks are occurring where millions of people lack access to essential health services with drought and flooding make the situation even worse.

“WHO and our health partners are on the ground, providing life-saving health services”, he said, adding that “without urgent funding we cannot continue. 

“So far this year, we have received only four per cent of the $187 million needed to keep operations going.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres celebrated the achievements and contributions of people of African descent from across the world, while addressing the forum via video message, but also acknowledged existing racial discrimination and inequalities Black people continue to face. 

He said the establishment of the Permanent Forum shows a dedication from the international community to address these injustices. Still, it needs to be backed by significant change for people of African descent globally.

“Now we must build on that momentum to drive meaningful change – by ensuring that people of African descent enjoy the full and equal realization of their human rights; by stepping up efforts to eliminate racism and discrimination – including through reparations; and by taking steps towards the full inclusion of people of African descent in society as equal citizens,” said Mr. Guterres.

‘Formidable convening power’

Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif praised the forum for its “formidable convening power” by meeting for a third high profile session less than two years after becoming operational.

She commended the forum’s planned 70 side events focusing on climate justice, education, health, and more for people of African descent, saying it shows a “remarkable effort, amplifying the reach and impact of our collective commitment.”

Ms. Al-Nashif urged Member States to participate in discussions and act on recommendations derived from them. 

“Only then can we ensure that all civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of people of African descent can be fully realized without discrimination or bias,” she said.

Decade should extend

Ms. Al-Nashif said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, supports the extension of the International Decade for people of African Descent – a time proclaimed by the General Assembly in 2015 to focus on recognition, justice and development. 

During the Permanent Forum, a conversation will be centred around achievement limitations and expectations of the requested second international decade. 

“We look forward to the outcome of the discussions of this session; and we will be following the intergovernmental discussions in relation to the International Decade throughout this year,” said Ms. Al-Nashif.

All reports from the Permanent Forum will be presented to the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in September, as well as the new session of the UN General Assembly, which begins that month.

A fight for change

The Deputy High Commissioner said her office is continuing to look for ways to ensure “the meaningful, inclusive, and safe participation of people of African descent in public life is essential in the fight against systemic racism.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.