Libya wary as Sudan violence escalates

Libyans, especially in the southern part of their country, express fears from the aggravating situation in Sudan.

They warn against exploiting the current war in the southern neighbouring country in jeopardising Libya's security.

Fighting erupted in Sudan on April 5 between the country's army and Rapid Support Force (RSF), a paramilitary group formed years ago by ousted president Omar al-Bashir to aid his security forces in crushing dissent in the western Sudanese Darfur region.

The Sudanese army seems to be gaining control over the security situation in Sudan. However, Libyan fears remain, especially with the prospect of a protracted war looming in Sudan.

Fears for Libya

The escalation of violence in Sudan prompted G7 countries to include the Sudanese crisis on the agenda of their foreign ministers' meeting in the Japanese resort town of Karuizawa.

Addressing a UN Security Council meeting a few days ago, Libya's permanent representative to the UN, Taher al-Sunni, expected the situation in Sudan to directly and negatively impact his country, especially its southern part.

Southern Libya, he said, suffers the most from the scourge of wars, division and external interventions.

He expressed hopes that the fighting in Sudan would come to an end soon.

Dbeibeh warns

Prime minister of Libya's outgoing Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid al-Dbeibeh, called on Libyans in Sudan to be cautious.

He announced the formation of a government panel to follow up their situation, and prepare to evacuate them if necessary.

Army worried

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Abdel Salam al-Busaifi, head of the military organization and administration body in southern Libya, affiliated to the Libyan National Army, appealed to chiefs of staff in eastern and western Libya to tighten control on their country's border with Sudan.

The chiefs of staff, he said, need to deploy additional forces to protect the border, prevent any infiltration, and place reconnaissance aircraft at Kufra Airport, which is located in close proximity to the border.

Roots

Libyan affairs specialist, Mohamed Qoshout, said militias usually turn against regular armies if they are not disarmed.

"The same militias will not back down from using arms," he told The Reference.

He described the war in Sudan as 'grinding', citing fears inside the RSF from its dissolution as a main reason for current fighting in Sudan.

"Militias are like a malignant tumour that spreads in the body whenever possible," Qoshout said.