Namibia calls for the respect of the AU decision on Libya
22nd March 2011


The Government of Namibia calls for the respect of the African Union decision on Libya and rejects military attacks on that country

The African Union Peace and Security Council at its 265th meeting in Addis Ababa on 10 February 2011, at the level of Heads of State and Government decided among others, to establish an ad hoc Committee comprising five Heads of State and Government with the following mandate:

(i)  engage with all parties in Libya and continuously assess the evolution of the
situation on the ground,

(ii)   facilitate an inclusive dialogue among the Libyan parties on the appropriate reforms,

(iii)  engage AU's partners, in particular the League of Arab States, the organization of the Islamic conference, the European Union and the United Nations, to facilitate coordination of efforts and seek their support for the early resolution of the crisis;"

In fulfillment of its mandate the ad hoc Committee had planned to visit Libya on 19 March 2011 and, had travelled to Mauritania in preparation for its visit to Libya.  However, on 19 March, foreign forces launched massive and coordinated military attacks against Libya, targeting military and civilian infrastructure, including the residential compound of the Libyan leader.

The aerial bombardment of Libya, carried under the cover of the United Nations Security Council resolution 1973, had clearly demonstrated utter contempt for and flagrant disregard of the AU Peace and Security Council decision which, "reaffirmed its strong commitment for the respect of the unity and territorial integrity of Libya, as well as its rejection of any foreign military intervention, whatever its form".

Consistent with the African Union Peace and Security Council decision referred to above, the government of Namibia rejects and condemns the Western military attacks against Libya, and calls for such attacks to stop immediately.

Since the beginning of the crisis in Libya in mid-February 2011, Namibia is on record as having recognized the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people and called for dialogue involving the Libyan government and peaceful protestors.

Furthermore, Namibia reaffirms its full support for the AU Peace and Security Council ad hoc Committee of Heads of State and Government to carry out its mandate of facilitating dialogue between Libyan parties to find a peaceful negotiated solution to the political crisis.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs