In its opinion on the strategic review of EUBAM Libya, shared with the Political and Security Committee (PSC) on 24 March, the EU Council’s Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management (Civcom) supported the European External Action Service (EEAS) proposal to extend the mission’s mandate (see EUROPE 12663/6).
According to the document obtained by EUROPE, Civcom supports adding an objective relating to EUBAM’s main areas of engagement (law enforcement, border management and criminal justice) to the mission’s mandate to support the UN-led peace efforts in Libya as part of the Berlin process.
However, Civcom believes that the Member States will need to be consulted before any decisions are made regarding any potential future support from the mission, including strengthening resourcing, if the UN and/or the Libyan authorities make a formal request for support, and will need to do so based on a specific strategic analysis presented by the EEAS.
According to Civcom, the mission should play a more active role in the design and implementation of EU-funded projects, particularly technical solutions relating to border management. As a first step, it should also consider what activities Tripoli could undertake to support the south of the country. “If opportunities arise for a presence and/or activities in southern Libya, the EEAS will inform the Member States and present them with potential options for approval”, the document states. The Government of National Unity has very little control over southern Libya.
Civcom also recommends that the mission urgently develop and implement an appropriate communication strategy and plan, “providing information about the mission’s role in supporting the Libyan authorities and explaining the EU’s engagement on the ground”, in order to counter disinformation and build its own resilience. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)