Recent “unilateral acts” by rival sides in Libya have led to a rapid deterioration in political and economic stability coupled with rising insecurity, a senior UN official in the country told the Security Council on Tuesday. 

Stephanie Koury, Deputy Special Representative and Officer-in-Charge of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), said these developments “have increased tension, further entrenched institutional and political divisions and complicated efforts for a negotiated political solution.”

UNSMIL is working to promote de-escalation, and she stressed the need for the Council’s support.

“The status quo is not sustainable,” she said. “In the absence of renewed political talks leading to a unified government and elections, you see where this is heading – greater political financial and security instability, entrenched political and territorial divisions, and greater domestic and regional instability.”  

One country, two governments

Libya remains divided between two rival administrations.  The internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) is based in the northwestern city of Tripoli and led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, while the Government of National Stability (GNS) is based in the east.

The GNU receives advisory support from the High Council of State (HSC), and the eastern government is backed by the House of Representatives (HoR) and the so-called Libyan National Army (LNA).

Ms. Koury said the past two months have seen unilateral security moves by both the LNA and forces affiliated to the GNU, sparking mobilization by the other side.

Heavy armed clashes

Additionally, heavy clashes between two armed groups broke out in Tajoura, east of Tripoli, on 9 August, resulting in deaths, injuries to civilians and the destruction of property. Local mediation efforts were able to defuse the situation.

“Unilateral actions by political and security figures are also undermining stability in other ways,” she added. 

“Unilateral attempts to unseat the Central Bank Governor are met with countervailing attempts to maintain him.  Attempts to unseat the Prime Minister and his Government are met with attempts to maintain him.”

Similar actions are also causing problems and instability in the economic sphere.

Budget battle

Following months of efforts to develop a unified budget – with representatives from the east, west and south participating – the HoR adopted a supplementary budget allocation last month that was “submitted unilaterally by the House of Representatives-designated government,” she said, which western leaders denounced.

She noted that efforts to change the Central Bank Governor continue. Libya’s Presidency Council recently issued a decision to name a new Governor and form a Board of Directors, which the HoR rejected.

“These efforts are fueled by the perception that the Central Bank is not acting in a manner transparent and with fair governance to both east and the west in terms of allocation of resources,” she said.

De-escalation and dialogue

Ms. Koury reported that UNSMIL and UN Member States have been actively working to diffuse the situation.

“As a first step, UNSMIL is working to help facilitate an overall de-escalation and is proposing talks to develop a set of confidence building measures between all parties to bring an end to unilateral actions and create a more conducive environment for resuming the political process,” she said.

“Among other things, these types of measures would aim at ending unilateral actions and commitment to that, restoring confidence in the Central Bank, ensuring that moves by military and security actors are coordinated so as to prevent mobilization and fears among others.”

Libyans frustrated and fearful

Meanwhile, Libyans are frustrated with the status quo in their country and the toll it is taking on their lives.

“Many express fear now about war once again erupting around clashes between armed groups. They also express fear about their ability to speak, share their political views, in a space free from threats. Youth do not see a future, except to try to leave.  This is not acceptable.”

She told the Council that UNSMIL is using its good office’s role with focus on helping to de-escalate tensions, preserving stability and fostering confidence building measures, and preparing for the convening of Libyan-led political talks. 

“Advancing the political process, while maintaining stability, is the key priority for UNSMIL”, she said, telling ambassadors, “I count on your support to take this forward.”

Local elections progressing

Despite the difficult context, local elections are moving forward and expected to take place in mid-October. Roughly 210,000 people have registered to vote and distribution of voter cards, as well as registration of candidates, began on 18 August.  

“Unfortunately, female turnout remains relatively low, constituting only 30 per cent of the registered voters,” Ms. Koury said. 

“I am also concerned there will be low participation of women as candidates,” she added, calling for more proactive measures to address the “many hurdles” they face, including intimidation, online violence and verbal attacks.

Extremist groups and organized crime

Turning to other matters, Ms. Khoury said extremist organizations maintain access and presence in Libya by leveraging their connections with local and transnational organized crime. 

This growing relationship is particularly concerning as weapons have reportedly been coming into the country, in violation of an arms embargo.

On the humanitarian front, she reported that flooding in southwestern Libya on 16 August displaced an estimated 5,800 people.  The UN Country Team has responded, dispatching humanitarian supplies, in coordination with the authorities.

The number of Sudanese refugees in Libya has also risen to 97,000 following the outbreak of war in April 2023.  Most are arriving in al-Kurfa, where they face challenging conditions, however a UN plan for the refugees is only 21 per cent funded. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

Mpox is “not the ‘new COVID’” and European governments need to show strong political commitment to eliminate it, while standing in solidarity with Africa, a top official of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.

Briefing journalists in Geneva, Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, insisted that the risk from mpox to the general population was “low”.

He rejected comparisons between the fast-spreading viral disease which the agency declared an international public health emergency last week, and the COVID-19 pandemic, “regardless of whether it’s mpox clade 1, behind the ongoing outbreak in east-central Africa, or mpox clade 2, behind the 2022 outbreak that initially impacted Europe and has continued to circulate in Europe since”.

“We know how to control mpox – and in the European region – the steps needed to eliminate its transmission altogether,” Dr. Kluge continued. 

Transmission pattern

Current scientific knowledge about the virus indicates that it primarily transmits through skin-to-skin contact with mpox lesions, including during sex. The UN health agency official’s reply to questions about whether Europe would experience COVID-like lockdowns was an unequivocal “no”.

Speaking via video link from Copenhagen, Dr. Kluge recalled that the 2022 European mpox outbreak was brought under control “thanks to the direct engagement with the most affected communities of men who have sex with men”.

He cited “behaviour change, non-discriminatory public health action and mpox vaccination” as factors of success in Europe in 2022. However, the region “failed to go the last mile” to quash the disease and is currently seeing some 100 new mpox clade 2 cases every month, he said.

Mutation discovered

Last week, Sweden became the first country outside Africa to record a case of the mpox clade 1 variant at the centre of the latest outbreak, which has been spreading from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to neighbouring countries. The Swedish case concerned a person who had travelled to an affected area of Africa.

The current state of alert due to clade 1, which is considered to be more severe, gives European health authorities the opportunity to also strengthen focus on clade 2 and eliminate it “once and for all,” Dr. Kluge urged.

Smallpox vaccines work

The UN health agency representative called specifically for European solidarity with Africa, notably regarding equitable access to vaccines.

WHO recommends the use of MVA-BN or LC16 vaccines, or the ACAM2000 vaccine when the others are not available. These have originally been developed against the now-eradicated disease smallpox.

WHO spokesperson Tarik Jašarević said that the producer of MVA-BN, Bavarian Nordic, “has capacity to manufacture 10 million doses by end of 2025 and can already supply up to two million doses this year”. As for LC16, which is a vaccine produced on behalf of the Government of Japan, he underscored that there is a “considerable” stockpile of this vaccine.

“Japan has been very generous in the past with donations” and is currently in negotiations with the DRC Government, he said.

The DRC has reported more than 15,600 mpox cases so far this year and some 540 deaths.

International response triggered

Last week, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus triggered an “Emergency Use Listing” process for mpox vaccines, designed to accelerate access for lower-income countries which have not yet issued their own regulatory approval.

The measure also makes it possible for UN health agency partners such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to procure vaccines for distribution.

Dr. Kluge mentioned that the European Union (EU) is already donating vaccines, which made him “optimistic”, but that this generosity will be put to the test if more vaccines are needed in the EU.

And although vaccines are essential, they are “just some of the tools,” said WHO’s Mr. Jašarević, alongside contact tracing, strong surveillance, public health measures and adequate clinical care for those who need it.

He mentioned that a positive legacy of the COVID-19 response was improved laboratory capacity around the world allowing to better detect various viruses.

Building on health lessons from the recent pandemic, global coordination will be key to defeating mpox. “We can, and must, tackle mpox together – across regions and continents,” Dr. Kluge insisted. “Will we choose to put the systems in place to control and eliminate mpox globally? Or will we enter another cycle of panic and then neglect?”

“How we respond now, and in the years to come, will prove a critical test for Europe – and the world,” Dr. Kluge concluded.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

The Lobito Corridor project – a cross-border infrastructure development connecting Angola with mining operations in Zambia and the DRC – is expected to be complete in 2029. The project creates various economic opportunities for the region by strengthening both intra- and inter-African mineral trade.  

During the Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) 2024 summit, a panel discussion on The Lobito Corridor: Driving Economic Transformation and Opening Markets will delve into opportunities the corridor presents for Angola, the DRC and Zambia. Speakers include Tim George, Executive Director&CEO of Pensana Plc; Martin Lokanc, Senior Mining Specialist as the World Bank; and Kevin Ngunza Man, Economic&Commercial Specialist at the U.S. Department of State in the DRC. The discussion aims to examine how the project can serve as a blueprint for developing regional value chains, driving strategic infrastructure investment and maximizing socioeconomic growth in Africa.

CMA is the largest gathering of critical mineral stakeholders in Africa. Taking place from November 6-7 in Cape Town, the event positions Africa as the primary investment destination for critical minerals. This year’s edition takes place under the theme ‘Innovate, Enact, Invest in African Critical Minerals to Sustain Global Growth,’ connecting African mining projects and regulators with global investors and stakeholders to untap the full potential of the continent’s raw materials. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

The respective governments of Angola, the DRC and Zambia signed the Lobito Corridor Transit Transport Agency Agreement in 2023, setting expectations to complete construction of the project within the next five years. A 1,300km-long railway line, the Lobito Corridor connects the Angolan Atlantic Coast to the town of Luau on the Angola-DRC border. The project also includes a 550km stretch in Zambia, linking the Jimbe border to Chingola in the copperbelt, as well as a 400km stretch in the DRC, connecting the mining town of Kolwezi.

The Lobito Corridor is considered a pioneering infrastructure project in Africa, creating newfound economic growth opportunities for the region. Historically relying on road-based transportation such as trucks, mineral exports from Zambia and the DRC have been plagued by challenges such as high costs and transport delays. The Lobito Corridor provides both a cheaper and faster alternative for exports, essentially streamlining the process from ‘pit to port.’ Beyond transport, the corridor creates jobs, strengthens supply chains, boosts connectivity and facilitates trade within southern Africa. In addition to rail, the project incorporates improvements in road infrastructure and digital connectivity and is therefore seen as a boost for regional development.

Given the importance of the corridor as a pathway for taking African minerals global, the Lobito Corridor has generated substantial financial support from an assortment of players. Italy announced that it is investing $320 million in the corridor in June 2024, with the funds supporting the development of core rail infrastructure. During the same month, the United States Agency for International Development announced a $235 million contribution to support Angola’s National Development Plan, which includes the development of the Lobito Corridor. Multilateral development finance institution the African Development Bank signed an MoU in October 2023 to mobilize funds for the project alongside the US, the European Commission, the Africa Finance Corporation and the governments of Angola, Zambia and the DRC. These commitments signal strong global support the project.

The panel discussion at CMA 2024 will explore the implications of the Lobito Corridor on the southern African region. Speakers will unpack the value of infrastructure investments in Africa’s mining industry while exploring how the corridor can serve as a blueprint for other markets across the region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.

With the potential to produce 1,956 GW of solar energy and 106 GW of wind energy – in addition to its proximity to Europe – West Africa is taking its place as a global green hydrogen production hub. As such, this year’s MSGBC Oil, Gas&Power 2024 conference – taking place in Dakar from December 3-4 – will feature a green hydrogen-focused panel session, evaluating ongoing projects, key investments and the potential for green hydrogen to reshape Africa’s energy landscape.

Large-scale green hydrogen projects in the MSGBC region include Mauritania’s 35 GW Megaton Moon, 16-20 GW Aman and 10 GW Project Nour, which are being developed by Danish developer GreenCo Energy, renewable energy developer CWP Global and clean energy producer Chariot Energy, respectively.  Last year, management consultant Conjuncta GmbH – along with renewable energy producer Infinity Power – signed an agreement with Mauritania’s Ministry of Petroleum, Mines and Energy to produce up to eight million tons of green hydrogen per year for international markets, supporting the country’s goals to produce 12.5 million tons annually by 2035. Meanwhile, The Gambia’s government signed an agreement with H2 Gambia Ltd. – a subsidiary of green hydrogen developer HydroGenesis – last year to assess the commercial viability of hydrogen production in-country.

Explore opportunities, foster partnerships and stay at the forefront of the MSGBC region’s oil, gas and power sector. Visit www.MSGBCOilGasandPower.com to secure your participation at the MSGBC Oil, Gas&Power 2024 conference. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Set to outline current projects while sharing insights into the strategic potential of Mauritania’s green hydrogen market, Conjuncta CEO Prof. Stefan Liebing will participate in the panel session – From Vision to Reality: How Will Hydrogen Shape Africa’s Landscape? In its first phase, Conjuncta’s $34-billion green hydrogen project will have an electrolysis capacity of 400 MW and is expected to start operations by 2028. The plant, which will be located near Nouakchott, will feature an electrolyzer capacity of up to 10 GW and will convert clean energy to green hydrogen, ammonia and other fuels for export to international markets.

Thierry Lepercq, CEO of the largest European green hydrogen platform HyDeal, will also speak on the panel session, leveraging his experience to discuss leading investment opportunities in the green hydrogen sector. HyDeal’s first project, HyDeal España, is set to feature 4.8 GW of solar power and 3.3 GW of electrolyzers, supplying 3 million tons of green hydrogen over 20 years to major industrial clusters in Spain at competitive prices. Lepercq will apply his technical expertise with HyDeal España to discuss similar green hydrogen and green iron projects in Mauritania and The Gambia during the panel session.

Green hydrogen has emerged as a critical resource within the global energy transition. As African countries including Mauritania, The Gambia and Morocco emerge at the forefront of the sector, green hydrogen is expected to become one of the main drivers of the energy transition and sustainable growth in the MSGBC region.

“The size and scale of the MSGBC region’s green hydrogen potential is expected to play a major role in the growth and socioeconomic development of the region. This exciting panel at this year’s MSGBC conference will provide significant insight and unlock immense opportunities for energy leaders, financiers and investors to participate in the bloc’s burgeoning green hydrogen sector,” states Sandra Jeque, Conference Director at MSGBC 2024 organizer, Energy Capital&Power.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.