Members of the Libyan House of Representatives, including Saleh Qalma, Asmaa Al-Khoja, Yousef Al-Fakhri, Salem Qanan, and Abdelkader Yahya, along with Deputy Speaker Dr. Rasmi Balroin, attended the opening session of the sixth legislative term of the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa.
The session was inaugurated with a speech by Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament. Discussions focused on the impact of climate change on the African continent and strategies for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Additional topics included balancing Africa’s energy security needs amidst the climate crisis and enhancing health capacities to prepare for future pandemics.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
