Question NW2658 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
14 December 2020 - NW2658
Msane, Ms TP to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
What (a) role did the Government play towards the signing of a ceasefire agreement between the warring parties in Libya and (b) will be the continued role of the Government in ensuring that the (i) peace agreement holds and (ii) rule of law and democracy is restored in Libya?
Reply:
South Africa as Chair of the African Union (AU) continues to follow with close interest the successful conclusion of the meeting of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) in Tunis, Tunisia, that took place on 15 November 2020. South Africa is committed to the establishment of peace and security throughout Libya, hence South Africa’s robust support for the Ceasefire Agreement signed in Geneva on 23 October 2020 and our continued commitment to strengthen AU and UN cooperation in order to work with common purpose to end the conflict in Libya and by extension, throughout the continent. South Africa continues to play a prominent and influential role in the work of the AU High-Level Committee on Libya (AU HLC) as well as the Contact Group of Libya since their establishment as mechanisms for supporting a sustainable and lasting political solution to the protracted crisis in Libya. Regarding Libya, South Africa, as a member of the AU HLC will be in the position to ensure stronger management, control and oversight of the on-going peace process in that country. Meetings of the AU HLC are convened at the level of Heads of State and Government and Minister.
Furthermore, South Africa, during the 14th Extraordinary Summit on Silencing the Guns, reiterated that it is imperative that the African Union (AU) and its peace and security architecture supports vulnerable countries by focusing particular attention on the issue of post conflict-reconstruction and development (PCRD), through institutional capacity building, the rule of law and security sector reform, which are core elements for a lasting peace, in line with the guiding principles of African Union Master Roadmap and Agenda 2063.