On Thursday, Fawzi Al-Nuwairi, the First Deputy Speaker of the Libyan Parliament participated in the second Parliamentary Summit on Counter-Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Angola.
The summit, orchestrated under the theme “Global Response to Save the Sahel Region,” seeks to address urgent challenges facing the Sahel nations.
Abdullah Blaiheg, Spokesman for the Libyan Parliament emphasised that this crucial summit is part of the broader 147th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
He outlined the summit’s primary goals: to unite global Parliamentarians, UN representatives, international experts, regional Parliamentary members, and local community leaders.
Together, they aim to tackle the pressing issues of corruption, terrorism, and violent extremism in the Sahel. The summit goes beyond addressing current issues, looking to reconcile varying perspectives on the Sahel’s historical challenges.
Their objective includes transforming global strategies and resolutions into actionable steps, all while promoting an African-led solution to the region’s crises, backed by international support.
Blaiheg concluded by underscoring the summit’s importance, noting the Sahel’s current myriad of security, economic, and societal challenges.
Libya post-2011, has become intricately linked with issues related to terrorism and internal strife, which has made it a focal point for international concern and intervention.
Apart from terrorism, the anarchy in Libya facilitated a surge in human trafficking, and illegal migration. Libya, with its extensive coastline, became a primary departure point for migrants aiming to reach Europe, leading to a humanitarian crisis.
Libya continues to grapple with internal divisions, though there have been recent efforts to establish a unified transitional government. The threat of terrorism, while reduced compared to its peak, remains a significant concern.
The country’s vast oil reserves, strategic location, and the persistence of external actors ensure that Libya remains a key geopolitical focal point in the fight against terrorism, and the broader dynamics of the Middle East and North Africa.