Democracy News

Libyan Rebels Reject African Union Cease-Fire Proposal
April 12, 2011
By: Carlos Aramayo | Printer Friendly

On April 11, the international media reported that an African Union (AU) cease-fire proposal meant to end the ongoing standoff between Libyan rebel forces and leader Muammar Qadhafi was met with mixed reactions. The proposal, which called for an immediate cease-fire and a dialogue with both parties to discuss reform, was endorsed by Qadhafi but was rejected by the rebel forces. According to the New York Times, the rebel opposition is looking for nothing short of the Libyan strongman's immediate resignation.

In addition to calling for a cease-fire, the proposal – which Qadhafi endorsed after meeting with the AU’s delegation – also called for the suspension of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) airstrikes. The New York Times reported that the NATO offensive has slowed Qadhafi's military campaign against the eastern-based rebels and virtually destroyed his army.

In contrast to Qadhafi, the opposition swiftly countered the plan because it ignored its main demand. Commenting on the opposition’s stance on the cease-fire proposal, the Washington Post reported that Abdul Hafiz Ghoga, a member of the Transitional National Council – the de facto rebel government based in the eastern city of Benghazi – said, “This proposal did not include the exit of Colonel Qadhafi and his sons and inner circle, and it included reforms within the structure of the Qadhafi regime. This is rejected completely."

According to Al Jazeera, Qadhafi has been one of the AU's loudest champions and financial contributors in a bid to win influence on the continent. That may be one reason that the group's delegation, composed of representatives from five African countries, was willing to make a presentation that advocated for a continuing Qadhafi role in Libya. The highest-profile member of the team, South African President Jacob Zuma, did not make the trip from Tripoli to Benghazi, citing a scheduling conflict. Speaking in Tripoli on April 10, Zuma referred to Qadhafi as "brother leader," and called for a transitional period during which Qadhafi and the opposition would discuss political reforms including "justice, peace and security as well as socioeconomic development."

The Wall Street Journal reported that hundreds of protesters gathered outside the hotel where negotiations were being held under a banner that read: "First Qadhafi and his family leaves, then we negotiate." The Italian foreign minister, Franco Frattini, strongly backed the rebels' position, saying that Qadhafi’s resignation would have to occur "in parallel" with a cease-fire. "The sons and the family of [Qadhafi] cannot participate in the political future of Libya," Frattini told France's Europe 1 radio.

The New York Times also reported that United States (US) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US supported a cease-fire but wanted to see Qadhafi's army end a weeks-long siege of the rebel-held western city of Misrata and other civilian areas. “We've made it very clear that we want to see a cease-fire," Clinton stated. "We want to see Libyan regime forces pull back from the areas that they have forcibly entered. We want to see a resumption of water, electricity and other services to cities that have been brutalized by the Qadhafi forces, these terms are non-negotiable."

The international community’s efforts to diplomatically and economically isolate Qadhafi have put significant pressure on his government. So far, the highest level government desertion was by foreign minister Moussa Koussa, who fled to the United Kingdom via Tunisia.  The rebels have been asking to be armed by the international community; this request has so far been denied. The standoff has been marked by bloody confrontations between Qadhafi forces and the rebels who are fighting for control over strategic resources.  

For previous news on Libya, please see:
Qadhafi Clings to Power in Libya

Sources:
New York Times – Truce Plan for Libya Is Rejected by Rebels

Wall Street Journal – Libyan Rebels Reject African Union Peace Plan

Al Jazeera – Libyan rebels reject African Union road map

Washington Post – Gaddafi accepts African Union’s road map for peace

Washington Post – Libyan rebels reject African Union cease-fire proposal