On Sunday, Libya’s sacked Minister of Oil and Gas, Mohamed Aoun, renewed his demand for the enforcement of court rulings confirming his right to remain in office, accusing interim Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdelhamid Dbaiba of deliberately ignoring judicial decisions and illegally forcing him into retirement.
Aoun’s statement condemned Dbaiba’s actions as politically motivated and unlawful, claiming that his removal was driven by personal retaliation rather than legal justification.
He argued that Dbaiba’s February 1, 2025, decision to retire him under Order No. 67, citing age limitations, was merely an excuse to sideline him from the ministry.
Aoun cited multiple legal victories in his favor, including a May 12, 2024, ruling by the Administrative Control Authority, which lifted his suspension and affirmed his authority as minister. Additionally, two rulings from the Tripoli Court of Appeals nullified Dbaiba’s appointment of an acting minister, confirming that Aoun should be reinstated.
The former minister also referenced three Supreme Court rulings, issued on August 28, November 18, and December 25, 2024, all of which declared Dbaiba’s decision to replace him illegal. Despite these rulings, Aoun accused Dbaiba of openly defying the judiciary by refusing to implement court decisions and continuing to block his return to office.
Calling on Libya’s legislative, executive, and judicial authorities, Aoun urged immediate action to enforce the court’s decisions and restore institutional integrity. He warned that allowing Dbaiba to disregard legal rulings would set a dangerous precedent, undermining the rule of law.
Aoun also highlighted widespread public and international support for his reinstatement, noting that legal experts, political figures, and media voices have called for Dbaiba to respect the courts. He emphasized that the oil sector is too critical to be subject to personal and political disputes, urging a resolution based on legal principles rather than power struggles.
Additionally, he warned foreign oil companies and international partners against engaging with the acting minister, stating that his appointment is unlawful and could lead to legal complications.
Aoun’s battle against his forced retirement underscores deeper political divisions within Libya’s government, where legal rulings are often ignored in power struggles. As he continues to push for reinstatement, the case is shaping into a critical test of Libya’s commitment to upholding judicial authority and ensuring accountability in governance.
