Confusion Continues in North Africa, Despite Positive Signals
Mixed figures emerged from North Africa in the last hours, as experts see a deterioration of the situation in Egypt, and the international community seems unable to find common ground to solve the situation in Libya. Against this bleak scenario, the EU welcomed the initialing of the political agreement in Misrata to promote a political settlement in the country. In other words, there are some positive signals despite the difficulties.
‘With the initialing of the political agreement, the House of Representatives, the independents and representatives of Misrata proved their determination to find a peaceful solution to the crisis that, for almost one year, has divided, impoverished, and inflicted suffering on the Libyan people’ EU High Representative Federica Mogherini said in a note released on Sunday.
Mogherini said that the European Union is ready to support a government of national accord (GNA), underlining that Brussels would immediately step in helping with its know-how.
‘In particular, the EU will immediately help with capacity and institution building to national and local authorities, with a view to assist with the rapid resumption of service delivery, should the Libyan authorities require so, in a spirit of equal partnership.’
According to Ian O. Lesser, Senior Director for foreign and security policy at German Marshall Fund (GMF), the situation in the region is deteriorating.
On Sunday, IS admitted it lost control of Derna in eastern Libya, but it promised to avenge its fighters.
The Wall Street Journal wrote on Monday that the US is in talks with North African countries about positioning drones at a base on their soil to combat the Islamic State in Libya.
Sergio Matalucci is an Associate Partner at Natural Gas Europe. He holds a BSc and MSc in Economics and Econometrics from Bocconi University, and a MA in Journalism from Aarhus University and City University London. He worked as a journalist in Italy, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Belgium. Follow him on Twitter: @SergioMatalucci