Lack of maritime presence, the arms embargo in Libya remains theoretical
(B2) The suspension of the European maritime operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med / Sophia) has a very clear consequence: the arms embargo imposed against Libya remains theoretical
Three excavations without follow-up
According to the latest EUNAVFOR Med report, between March 2018 and March 2019, the European operation carried out 1083 boardings, 84 friendly approaches and three inspections (1). The ship inspections took place on theOsman Prince bound for Benghazi (September 23, 2018), on theAhmad Prince, which was sailing to Tripoli (November 1, 2018) and the Rusen Mete, bound for Brega (January 18, 2019). Each time, the European military failed to obtain the consent of the flag State to the search (Comoros and Sierra Leone).
No weapon found
They have, however, sought in good faith to obtain the consent of the flag State concerned before carrying out each of the three inspections”. In " failure to respond within the four-hour time limit by the operation plan, the soldiers began the search. The sailors of the three ships inspected showed themselves " cooperative during inspections » we underline at EUNAVFOR Med. But " no weapons or ammunition were found on board ».
The shutdown of EUNAVFOR: a blow to compliance with the arms embargo
A recent report by the UN Secretary General recognizes this. Operation Sophia is the only regional mechanism " who acts. And the secretariat has not received any other information regarding other ship inspections or cargo seizures carried out on the high seas off the coast of Libya by Member States, acting in their national capacity or within the framework of regional organizations ". On land, the Libyan port and customs authorities made three seizures: weapons and ammunition in Khoms on December 17, 2018, armored vehicles in Khoms on February 5, 2019, weapons in Misrata on January 7, 2019.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
(1) If we go back to June 2016, the figures amount to 2377 boardings, 170 friendly approaches and six ship inspections, with two seizures of military equipment.
Download :
- le investigation report of ONU
