A3+ Group Urges Security Council to Hold Accountable Those Undermining Libya’s Stability

A3+ Group (Algeria, Somalia, Sierra Leone and Guyana) urged the UN Security Council to hold accountable anyone who violates the arms embargo and undermines stability in Libya.

The statement was made on Tuesday by Algeria’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Toufik Laid Koudri, on behalf of the group, following the Security Council’s vote on the draft resolution that renews for six months the mandate granted to member states, whether at the national level or through regional organizations, to inspect ships on the high seas off the coast of Libya, heading to or departing from it, which was adopted with 13 members voting in favor.”

The A3+ Group underlined that its vote in favour of the resolution reflects its commitment to strictly enforcing Libya’s arms embargo.”We’re calling on the Security Council to live up to its historic responsibility and ensure that anyone violating the arms embargo and destabilizing the country faces consequences,” the group said.

While acknowledging UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ recent report on the EU’s Operation IRINI naval mission, which has conducted over 2,000 ship inspections in the Mediterranean, the group expressed disappointment that the operation “hasn’t delivered the expected results in enforcing the arms embargo” and “remains ineffective against illegal weapons shipments, especially by air and sea.”

In this regard, the A3+ Group stressed that “the current challenges underscore the need for a thorough review of the mission’s operations and enhanced technical capacity to stop illegal arms transfers.” The group also said it continues pushing for “greater transparency and accountability in how the mandate is carried out, including by giving the Sanctions Committee stronger oversight powers, especially over what happens to confiscated weapons, how they’re destroyed, and where they’re sent.”

The Group urged the European Union, through its leadership of “Operation IRINI,” to “strengthen cooperation with Libya’s government, especially on intelligence sharing, capacity building, and coordinating the most effective ways to enforce the arms embargo.” It noted that “this kind of partnership would empower Libyan authorities to take full ownership of their sovereign security duties.” On fuel smuggling in Libya, the group warned it “has hit critical levels.”

Recent reports show that “between 2022 and 2024, these illegal operations cost the Libyan state roughly USD20 billion in lost revenue.” The group also pointed out that “fuel smuggling is being used to fuel the ongoing conflicts in Sudan and across the Sahel, often with backing from outside actors.” It expressed confidence that “Libya’s government and the EU will continue discussions and will discover ways to strengthen cooperation in order to resolve this urgent matter.”

The A3+ Group reaffirmed “its unwavering commitment to Libya’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity” and renewed its call “for the full and unconditional withdrawal of all foreign forces, foreign fighters, and mercenaries.”