Nyakallo Tefu
President Cyril Ramaphosa has left South Africa for Oyo, Republic of Congo, to attend a meeting organized by the Contact Group on Libya which seeks to find a lasting solution to the Libyan crisis.
The meeting kicked off on Wednesday and will end on March 12 2020.
In this meeting, President Denis Sassou N’Guesso will raise the issue regarding the military confrontations between Libyan parties and continuous external political and military interference, which have created a dangerous situation not only for Libya but the region and the continent at large.
After Ramaphosa was elected chairperson of the AU 2020 in February this year, he expressed concern over the situation in Libya.
In his capacity as the African Union Chairperson for the High-Level Committee (HLC) on Libya, President N’Guesso briefed the African Union regarding the military confrontations between Libyan parties and continuous external political and military interference, which created a dangerous situation not only for Libya but the region and the continent at large.
The Assembly decided to establish a Contact Group, chaired by the Republic of Congo and include members of the AU HLC to provide political leadership and promote coordination of international efforts in the search for a solution to the Libyan crisis.
The African Union stressed the need for an inclusive process of dialogue amongst all Libyan parties to the conflict.
Other Heads of State and Government expected to attend the meeting are Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune; Chad President Idriss Déby Itno and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRGS) of the United Nations, Stephanie Williams will also be in attendance.
Part of Ramaphosa’s delegation to the meeting is the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and Minister of State Security, Ayanda Dlodlo.
While the president is away, Deputy President David Mabuza will be Acting President.
(With additional information from news agencies)
