ADDIS ABABA: The African Union (AU) Wednesday condemned an air strike on a detention center in Libya that killed nearly 40 migrants and demanded those responsible for the “horrific crime” be held to account.
In a statement, the chairman of the AU Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat called for “an independent investigation to be conducted to ensure that those responsible for this horrific crime of innocent civilians, be brought to account.”
“The Chairperson reiterates his call for an immediate cease-fire, and for all parties to ensure the protection and safety of all civilians, especially the migrants trapped in detention centers,” the AU statement added, calling on the international community to “redouble efforts” to bring the warring parties to the negotiation table.
The direct hit on the detention facility housing 120 migrants in a Tripoli suburb has been blamed on Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar, who controls much of eastern and southern Libya.
He has been trying for three months to seize the Libyan capital.
The internationally recognized national unity government based in Tripoli accused pro-Haftar forces of having carried out a “premeditated” and “precise” attack on the migrant center at Tajoura.
No one has so far claimed responsibility.
African Union condemns air strike on Libyan detention center
African Union condemns air strike on Libyan detention center
- AU chairman called for an independent investigation on the matter
- The hit on the migrant detention center is being blamed on Haftar and his LNA forces
Kyrgyzstan parliament speaker resigns after spy chief sacking
- Japarov is seeking re-election next year in a country that was once a regional leader in terms of openness
BISHKEK: Kyrgyzstan’s parliament speaker said Thursday he would step down, two days after President Sadyr Japarov dismissed the Central Asian country’s powerful secret service chief and arrested political figures who called for early elections.
In a surprise move, Japarov had sacked his one-time close ally — spy chief Kamchybek Tashiev — in a decision Bishkek said was meant to “prevent division in society.”
Japarov is seeking re-election next year in a country that was once a regional leader in terms of openness, though marked by political volatility.
Rights groups have accused him of authoritarian tendencies, as he seeks to assert his control and cast himself as a bringer of stability.
Speaker Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu — close to the sacked security boss — told MPs he would step down, insisting that he was not resigning under pressure.
“Reforms initiated by the president must be carried out. Political stability is indispensable,” he said.
Kyrgyzstan has in recent years been de-facto governed by the Japarov-Tashiev tandem.
Both came to power in the wake of the 2020 revolution — the third since Bishkek gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Several NGOs have in recent months denounced the deterioration of freedom of expression in Kyrgyzstan.
Japarov had unexpectedly sacked Tashiev and three of his deputies on Tuesday, also weakening the powers of the secret services.
Japarov rarely speaks publicly. His spokesman had said the decision was taken “in the interests of the state, with the aim of preventing divisions within society, including between government structures, and to strengthen unity.”
Tashiev was in Germany for health treatment when the sacking was announced and had said it was a “total surprise” to him.
The decision came the day after the publication of an open letter from 75 political figures and ex-officials calling to bring forward presidential elections — scheduled for January 2027.
Five of those who signed the letter — which criticized the economic situation in the country — were arrested Wednesday on charges of organizing mass riots.
