UN Report: The arms embargo imposed on Libya remains totally ineffective
In a report released this week, UN experts stated that the arms embargo imposed on Libya since 2011 is totally ineffective. Indeed, the six experts charged with monitoring the embargo said that the arms embargo remains totally ineffective. For those member states directly supporting the parties to the conflict, the violations are extensive, blatant and with complete disregard for the sanctions’ measures.
They actually used pictures, diagrams and maps to support their declarations in the more than 550-page report that covers the period from October 2019 to January 2021.
The report also stated that their control of the entire supply chain complicates detection, disruption or interdiction, indicating that both factors make any implementation of the arms embargo more difficult.
The experts also named Turkey and Qatar that support the authorities in Tripoli. Moreover, they have identified Russian mercenaries from the private Wagner group, and also about 13,000 Syrian rebels and Chadian or Sudanese groups, all acting for one party or the other.
The report of Tuesday intensely supports the earlier charges, adding more than this, like the accusation of Erik Prince, founder of the currently-defunct Blackwater security company and a violent supporter of former American president Donald Trump.
Furthermore, the experts said that about 2,000 Wagner mercenaries have been deployed in Libya, adding that notwithstanding the ceasefire agreement of 25 October 2020, there have been no indications of any withdrawal from Libya by ChVK Wagner.
They also cited another private Russian company, Rossiskie System Bezopasnosti Group, because of its role in refurbishing fighter jets; while the Turkish military contractor SADAT that has rejected any banned activity in Libya is also on the list of those incriminated.
The experts showed the same conclusion about the economic sanctions imposed on individuals or entities, noting a persistent lack of transparency. They also indicated that implementation of the assets freeze and travel ban measures with regard to designated individuals remain ineffective.
Besides, the UN experts urged the Security Council to impose flag deregistration; a landing ban; and an overflights ban on aircraft identified as having violated the embargo, calling it to authorize member states to inspect, on the high seas off the coast of Libya, vessels… that they have reasonable grounds to believe are illicitly exporting or attempting to export crude oil or refined petroleum products.
