Ibrahim Abusheriah, a professor at Sebha University and Libya’s former envoy to Gambia and Niger, commended Morocco’s contribution to resolving the Libyan Crisis through the Skhirat agreement negotiations that brought the opposing parties together in Skhirat City near Rabat, Morocco’s capital, in 2015.
Morocco played a leading role in resolving the political-military instability in Libya, beginning with the Arab Spring protests of 2011, which led to two civil wars, the ousting of President Muammar Gaddafi, and a serious humanitarian crisis.
“I say it on behalf of the Libyan people that we highly appreciate the contributions of the Moroccan Kingdom to resolving the Libyan crisis as a mediator between the Libyan Government and the opposition,” Abusheriah told Barlaman Today on the sidelines of the 8th African Peace and Security Annual Conference (APSACO), held on June 10-11 in Rabat.
The Libyan people are seeking additional support from Morocco to improve the current political and military instability that threatens the country due to a precarious UN-brokered cease-fire.
The expert suggested that African countries can deal with their internal problems themselves, without any intervention from “outsiders.” Gambia, Uganda, and Kenya are the best examples of “local mediation” in resolving internal conflicts.
He hopes that Libya will be the next country to resolve its crisis with the help of local and regional interventions only, without any “non-continental” intervention.
Abusheriah welcomed the APSACO conference as a means to find solutions to Africa’s issues, by bringing together the best professors and experts who can brainstorm together.
To end the security crisis on the continent, African Union State members should join forces to strengthen cooperation and enhance African country economies through reinforcing regional institutions such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He added that African countries need more experience with respect to conflict resolution, and more communication between their “sister nations.”
Since the end of 2011, when the Libyan people overthrew Gaddafi, the ensuing Libyan crisis has sparked a number of other crises, especially in the Sahel beginning with Mali and now Chad, Abusheriah said.
The Libyan expert also applauded the role that Qatar is now playing in the reconciliation process of the Chadian crisis between the Chadian leader and the opposition.
“There will be no peace if there is no dialogue and no transparency,” he concluded. “This what we need in Africa.”