EUROPE has obtained information that the EUNAVFOR Med Sophia operation in the Mediterranean is to increase its monitoring slightly of the Libyan Coastguard. The European Council had asked for the establishment of a monitoring mechanism to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the training given to the Libyan Coastguard (which stands accused of forcing migrant boats back and capsizing migrants in the process).
"The operational plan has been agreed by member states and builds on an increasingly effective partnership with the Libyan Navy and Coastguard", European External Action Service spokesperson Catherine Ray told EUROPE on Thursday 12 October. This plan was approved by the ambassadors of the Political and Security Committee (PSC) on Wednesday 11 October and must now be approved by the member state ambassadors to the EU (COREPER), then by the Council.
Stating that Operation Sophia was continuing to work with the Libyans to ensure full implementation of the monitoring in order to guarantee effective work, the EEAS spokesperson said that "in accordance with the memorandum of understanding signed between the Libyan Coastguard and Operation Sophia (Ed: in August 2016), the Libyans will provide written reports on the movement and employment of their vessels". "Operation Sophia experts will visit the Tripoli HQ on a periodic basis, when conditions on the ground allow for it, to monitor the effectiveness of the capacity delivery" of the mission, the spokesperson stated.
Ray added that the monitoring does not entail operational direction or assistance to the Libyan Coastguard by Operation Sophia. Another European source meanwhile said that there would be no intervention in the Libyans' decision-making process.
"Op Sophia experts are not embedded in the ships at all", Ray said – a statement corroborated by the European source.
Although the monitoring may seem weak, it is nevertheless a message to the Libyans from the Europeans that the Libyans cannot do all that they want. According to another source, the diplomatic power of this type of action should not be underestimated. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)