On 30 March, UN Special Envoy to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily started an official tour to visit Sudan, Chad and Niger as part of UNSMIL’s mandate to restore peace and stability in Libya ‘including through supporting the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) in the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, notably the withdrawal of foreign fighters, foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya.’ He stressed that the presence of these fighters in Libya poses a critical risk to peace and stability in the country and the region, noting ‘We need to work with our partners to address this challenge without negatively impacting Libya’s neighbouring countries.’ In Khartoum, Bathily met with the President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan, Abdulfattah Burhan who expressed support for UNSMIL’s efforts in Libya. Bathily also met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sudan Ali Al-Sadiq, and Sudanese Minister of Defence General Yassin Ibrahim. Bathily reviewed with Ibrahim the progress achieved by the 5+5 JMC and Liaison Committees of Libya, Sudan, Chad and Niger pertaining to the withdrawal of foreign fighters from Libya. Ibrahim affirmed his ministry’s commitment to pursue joint cooperation and support for a coordinated withdrawal of all these elements and their reintegration into regular forces. He called for UN support to enhance border security between Sudan and Libya.
