UNSC: A3+ Group Welcomes Agreement Among Libyan Parties on Central Bank
The A3+ group, comprising Algeria, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and Guyana, warmly welcomed the agreement reached by Libyan parties regarding the establishment of a central bank during a statement delivered in New York this Wednesday. The group emphasized that this achievement represents a significant step toward stability in the country.
This announcement was made by Domingos Estevao Fernandes, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Mozambique to the UN, during a Security Council meeting focused on the situation in Libya. He underscored that the “practical, effective, and successful implementation of the Libyan Central Bank agreement will be crucial for the country’s economic and political future.”
The A3+ group urged all relevant institutions to collaborate in this effort, stressing the need to “appoint a Board of Governors for the Central Bank, expedite financial arrangements, and establish a unified national budget.” They highlighted the role of the Libyan Central Bank in “safeguarding Libya’s resources, particularly its substantial oil reserves, ensuring that the nation’s wealth benefits all Libyans rather than serving the interests of specific groups or individuals.”
In this context, the group also welcomed the recent announcement from the National Oil Corporation regarding the lifting of force majeure conditions and the resumption of crude oil production in Libya.
Furthermore, the Mozambican representative urged all Libyan parties and institutions to “exercise restraint and avoid unilateral actions that could escalate tensions and deepen institutional divisions among Libyans.”
Additionally, the A3+ group encouraged Libyan parties to “facilitate dialogue by addressing outstanding issues and organizing national elections while unifying institutions,” asserting that this constitutes a “pivotal step toward national progress.”
They expressed their strong support for further measures to enhance a stable political landscape, including the unification of state institutions and the avoidance of cooperation with parallel bodies that could undermine fragile stability and complicate the political situation in the country.
Moreover, the group emphasized the urgent need to appoint a Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to facilitate future negotiations and break the current deadlock affecting the political process. They called on all parties to fully support and engage in mediation efforts led by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
After affirming the importance of ensuring that “everyone has an equal right to shape Libya’s future, especially women and youth,” the A3+ group expressed its backing for the renewal of UNSMIL’s mandate for another 12 months, enabling it to effectively continue its work in facilitating ongoing dialogue among Libyan parties.
The Mozambican representative at the UN conveyed the group’s particular concern regarding the ongoing security challenges in Libya, where tensions remain elevated. He called for the swift withdrawal of all foreign troops, fighters, and mercenaries from Libya to create a conducive environment for political and security progress in the country.
In contrast, the group expressed satisfaction that the ceasefire agreement of 2020 remains intact, noting their keen interest in the initiative launched last month by the Libyan Presidential Council aimed at establishing security coordination centers. They reiterated their “readiness to support any initiative that serves Libya’s best interests, provided it is under UN oversight and is fully led and owned by Libyans.”
