The coalition of Libyan parties has expressed its rejection of the suspension of Mohamed Aoun, the Minister of Oil and Gas in the outgoing Government of National Unity (GNU). The coalition voiced its discontent with the conclusion of suspicious agreements within the oil sector. It called on the Attorney General to investigate and reveal the details of these agreements.
In a statement, the coalition of Libyan parties clarified that some oil agreements pose a threat to Libya’s sovereignty and independence, leading the country to lose control over its oil resources. The coalition demands a transparent and independent investigation by the Attorney General to uncover the details of these agreements.
The statement emphasised the necessity of revoking the decision to suspend the Minister of Oil & Gas from his duties and urged an investigation into the reasons and motivations behind the suspension by the Administrative Control Authority. It also called on Libyan parties, political forces, and civil society to unite against these questionable agreements. It highlighted the need for collective action to safeguard Libya’s sovereignty and resources.
The coalition’s stance reflects growing concerns among Libyan political factions regarding the management and exploitation of the country’s oil resources. These are pivotal for its economy and sovereignty. The call for transparency and accountability is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring that Libya’s wealth benefits its people and preserves its independence.
Notably, 53 members of the Libyan High Council of State (HCS) said in a joint statement that the suspension of the Minister of Oil and Gas in the GNU, Mohamed Aoun, came due to his opposition to suspicious deals.
They condemned the measures taken against Aoun, which led to his suspension from duty by the Administrative Control Authority.
They also expressed surprise at the swift appointment of his replacement, questioning the prearranged decision made by Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbaiba.
The HCS members denounced the unprecedented collusion of regulatory institutions with the government and warn that this will undermine their watchdog role in fighting corruption.
The statement called for Aoun’s immediate reinstatement and the withdrawal of his suspension decision, urging legal measures to restore the situation to its pre-suspension state.
The Libyan Administrative Control Authority, on Monday, enacted the suspension of the Minister of Oil and Gas of the GNU. This decision is a response to “public interest” requirements and is aligned with findings from an ongoing investigation into legal violations identified in case number 178, as detailed in decision number 347 for the year 2024. This action was announced via the authority’s official Facebook page and is grounded in Article 31 of Law No. 20 of 2013, concerning the establishment and regulations of the Administrative Control Authority.
