Brazzaville Foundation Launches New Initiative To Promote Libyan Reconciliation

Organised by the Brazzaville Foundation, an independent, non-profit organization working to meet the key challenges facing the African continent by developing cross-border economic, environmental and conflict prevention initiatives, with the support of the Senegalese Government and its President, H.E Macky Sall and the President of the Republic of the Congo, H.E. Mr Denis Sassou N’guess, Libyan dignitaries from across the political spectrum, including long-standing rivals, met over the course of three days (11-13 May) in Dakar, Senegal to launch a new inter-Libyan dialogue. Despite strong political differences, all participants agreed to look to the future, rather than the past.
 
Senegalese President Macky Sall offered to host the meeting in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, and showcased personal commitment to reconciliation in Libya by opening the meeting at a special session on the 11^th of May. With his agreement, Moustapha Niasse, President of the Senegalese National Assembly and a former UN Special Representative, acted as facilitator. Mr Niasse also chaired the meeting in conjunction with Jean-Yves Ollivier, Chairman of the Brazzaville Foundation.
 
At the end of three days’ discussion, all participants established a number of impactful, concrete objectives, sought out in order to preserve the independence, sovereignty and stability of Libya and in the face of innumerable challenges, collaborate to construct a strong state which guarantees the rights of all Libyans.
 
These “Dakar 1” objectives included however were not limited to accelerating the holding of a referendum on a draft constitution and creating the necessary conditions for such a referendum; constructing efficient military, security and judicial institutions and other State services in the best interests of the Libyan people; insisting upon the creation of a comprehensive ‘National Reconciliation Commission’; putting in place mechanisms which guarantee the preservation of the wealth of the country and its equitable distribution; agreement to call upon the African Union (AU) to play a greater role with regard to all issues related to Libya and not only in respect of national reconciliation; agreement to invite the media to work to promote peace and reconciliation and end the fomenting of language of ‘fanaticism and hatred’; to condemn and reject terrorism and extremism, renouncing violence in all its forms; and critically, to launch an appeal for the release of all political prisoners and all those imprisoned for the expression of opinion, granting complete freedom for those who are subject to restrictions on their movements and their political activities, recognising that this is an essential step to achieving national reconciliation between all Libyan protagonist actors.
 
The final communique included agreeance that dialogue should continue and be expanded upon, so as to broaden and deepen consensus. A “Dakar 2” meeting was accordingly planned in the months to come, to build on what has been achieved thus far.

Jean-Yves Olliver, Chairman of the Brazzaville Foundation, said: “Despite initial misgivings, 17 Libyans drawn from all sides and perspectives met, many for the first time, and talked to each other freely - without intermediaries or outside interference. This was not a negotiation, but a dialogue, a turning point that they have begun in Dakar, which will help break down walls of mistrust currently dividing Libyans and start a process of rapprochement which is essential, if negotiations on an eventual political settlement are to succeed.
 
This meeting, as was always the intention, has been complementary to, and supportive of, the efforts of the United Nations, the African Union and others, to bring about peace and stability to Libya. The Brazzaville Foundation organised and supported this meeting out of the conviction that only by agreeing to talk to each other can Libyans rebuild trust, reconcile their differences and thus ensure Libya’s peaceful and prosperous future”.
 
Note to Editors:
 
ABOUT THE BRAZZAVILLE FOUNDATION
 
The Brazzaville Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization with a mission to help meet some of the key challenges facing the African continent by developing cross-border economic, environmental and conflict prevention initiatives that support the UN’s sustainable development goals and bring countries and peoples together in peaceful cooperation. To learn more, please visit: www.brazzavillefoundation.org

Contact Information

Ms Benazir Hilali

Foundation Contact

Brazzaville Foundation

benazir.hilali@brazzavillefoundation.org