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Misrata Faces Tensions as Libya Decides on Leadership

Deputy head of the GNA Ahmed Maiteeq, Facebook
Deputy head of the GNA Ahmed Maiteeq, Facebook
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Misrata Faces Tensions as Libya Decides on Leadership

Deputy head of the GNA Ahmed Maiteeq, Facebook
Deputy head of the GNA Ahmed Maiteeq, Facebook

Since the onset of the last decade, the northwestern Libyan city of Misrata has occupied a prominent position and played a remarkable role in the North African country’s history.

Located 200 kilometers east of the capital, Tripoli, Misrata helped in overthrowing the regime in 2011 and took over a leading role in the country’s political scene and military arena.

Ahead of political turbulence created by the competition to head a prospective Libyan government, Misrata is on course to experience some tensions.

Fathi Bashagha, former interior minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA) and Ahmed Maiteeq, deputy head of the GNA, both from Misrata, have submitted their applications following decision by parliament on Monday to replace incumbent Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh.

Therefore, according to observers’ expectations, the scene may open to a new conflict that armed formations may be pushed into, if necessary.

The Libyan parliament has set February 8 as the date to vote for the Libyan Prime Minister’s replacement.

Dbeibeh, in power since February last year, is accused of failing to organize the general elections that were supposed to take place in December 2021.

The two presidential candidates, Bashagha and Maiteeq, in addition to Marwan Omeish, are competing to head the new government.

Dbeibeh has accused Parliament Speaker Aqila Saleh of trying to bring back division and fragmentation to the country after the latter had called for replacing the premier based on the GNA’s mandate presumably ending.

In the face of this tense atmosphere, an independent political spectrum in Misrata that does not follow neither Bashagha nor Dbeibeh warns against the two sharing the loyalties of many militias in Misrata and Tripoli.

This increases fears of resorting to armed groups and having Libya’s west sink into another cycle of bloody clashes.

Misrata hosts the largest force of equipment and armed formations that previously played a major role in repelling National Army forces from entering the capital, Tripoli, in the war that erupted on April 4, 2019.

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Sudan's al-Burhan: There Are No Preconditions for Dialogue

Al-Burhan delivers his speech at the United Nations in New York, September 26, 2024. (EPA)
Al-Burhan delivers his speech at the United Nations in New York, September 26, 2024. (EPA)
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Sudan's al-Burhan: There Are No Preconditions for Dialogue

Al-Burhan delivers his speech at the United Nations in New York, September 26, 2024. (EPA)
Al-Burhan delivers his speech at the United Nations in New York, September 26, 2024. (EPA)

Sudanese Armed Forces Chief and Sovereign Council Chairman General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), of betrayal for rejecting agreements reached during the Jeddah talks, which were brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Burhan emphasized that he is not setting preconditions but is calling for the implementation of previous agreements between the two sides.

His remarks on Friday came amid intense diplomatic moves during the 79th UN General Assembly in New York. Saudi Arabia announced that its aid to Sudan had exceeded $3 billion, while the United States urged for humanitarian ceasefires, especially in the Darfur region.

At a press conference following his participation in the UN meetings, Burhan said that Sudan is facing a conspiracy involving internal political forces and some regional and international powers, aiming to change the government through armed force.

When asked by Asharq Al-Awsat whether he would negotiate with Hemedti without preconditions based on the Jeddah Agreement, Burhan reiterated that what he seeks is the execution of what was already agreed upon in Jeddah.

He stressed that the parties and mediators had agreed on specific military and security measures, including leadership and budget details. Burhan insisted that until these agreements are implemented, there will be no further negotiations with those who "betray their promises."

The head of the sovereign country dismissed international accusations that both he and Hemedti are putting personal interests above the nation’s well-being. He asserted that the conflict is not a battle between two generals but a war against the Sudanese people and state.

Sudan was a focal point during the UN meetings, with a ministerial session titled, "The Cost of Inaction: Urgent and Collective Support to Scale Up the Humanitarian Response in Sudan and the Region."

The session, led by Saudi Arabia, the US, Egypt, the African Union, and the EU, called for an end to the war and expanded humanitarian efforts in Sudan and neighboring regions.

Joyce Msuya, acting coordinator for UN emergency relief, emphasized the need for a coordinated diplomatic push to improve humanitarian access and streamline the delivery of aid across borders and conflict lines. She urged member states to support increasing aid through Chad’s Adré crossing and extending its operation beyond the initial three-month period. In light of funding shortages, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund allocated $25 million to address famine and acute food insecurity in Sudan.

For her part, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield called for humanitarian pauses in the fighting, particularly in El-Fasher and Khartoum, to allow aid delivery and civilian evacuation.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRELIEF), revealed that Saudi Arabia’s aid to Sudan has surpassed $3 billion. He highlighted that the center had intensified its efforts after the outbreak of the conflict, implementing more than 70 humanitarian projects worth over $73 million in collaboration with UN agencies and other organizations.

Al-Rabeeah further stressed that the challenges posed by Sudan's crisis require collective efforts to provide unrestricted humanitarian assistance and sustainable, coordinated responses to ensure safe access to affected areas.