African Union to present Libya reconciliation charter in February

The African Union High-Level Committee on Libya has prepared a “National Reconciliation Charter” for presentation to Libyan parties in Addis Ababa next month, according to committee chairman and Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso.

The announcement came during Sassou Nguesso’s official visit to Tripoli, where he held talks with Libyan Presidential Council Chairman Mohamed Al-Menfi at a joint press conference. The charter represents the latest African-led initiative to resolve Libya’s ongoing political crisis.

“The African Union has stood by Libya since the time of the Organization of African Unity, particularly during the period of the international embargo,” Sassou Nguesso said, referencing the continental body’s historical support. He expressed optimism about recent progress in Tripoli and announced plans for a follow-up visit to Benghazi.

Al-Menfi, speaking at the same press conference, pledged Libya’s commitment to implementing the reconciliation project’s outcomes. “Libya’s stability has direct implications for regional and continental security,” he said, emphasising the importance of cooperation with neighbouring states.

The Congolese president’s diplomatic schedule in Tripoli included:

A meeting with the Presidential Council, where he:
– Presented the proposed reconciliation charter
– Discussed the African Union’s role in facilitating Libyan-Libyan dialogue
– Explored mechanisms for maintaining stability

Separate talks with Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dabaiba, during which:
– Dabaiba emphasised elections as the primary solution to Libya’s political impasse
– The prime minister noted that the core dispute exists “within the political class rather than among the Libyan people”
– Both leaders reviewed bilateral relations between Libya and Congo

The High-Level Committee’s involvement builds on its participation in multiple regional and international conferences focused on Libyan reconciliation. The proposed charter represents a culmination of these diplomatic efforts, though specific details of the document have not been publicly released.

The meetings also addressed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two nations within the framework of the reconciliation process.