In light of the celebrations of the February 17 revolution in Libya Dabaiba announces measures to confront plans to deport him

For the second day in a row, popular celebrations continue in Martyrs Square in the Libyan capital (Tripoli), marking the 11th anniversary of the February 17, 2011 revolution that toppled the regime of the late Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, while Prime Minister of the National Unity Government Abdel Hamid al-Dabaiba announced a series of spending plans, in an effort to To bolster his position in the face of an attempt by the parliament based in eastern Libya to replace him.

This anniversary comes amid disagreements between the Libyan political institutions represented by the House of Representatives, the Supreme Council of the State and the National Unity Government over the road map that stipulates holding parliamentary and presidential elections within 24 months, as well as the House of Representatives nomination of former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha to head a new government.

The Prime Minister of the National Unity Government, Abdel Hamid Dabaiba, refuses to hand over power, calling for an end to the transitional phase and holding general elections next June.

On the other hand, Bashagha is holding consultations with the political blocs and is scheduled to present a new government formation next week, in a step that will determine whether the parliament's efforts to replace Dabaiba have succeeded or are doomed to failure.

Dabaiba's plans

Dabaiba, who swore not to hand over power until after elections, promised to provide aid to Libyans to buy land and homes, and said he would raise some state salaries and continue to support marriages.

In a speech during the revolution's anniversary celebrations, Dabaiba appealed to the House of Representatives, the Supreme Council of the State and the judicial authorities to listen to the voice of Libyans wishing to hold general parliamentary and presidential elections, and to end the transitional stages in Libya.

Dabaiba said the House of Representatives had expired eight years after its election, and pledged to present a road map in the coming days for holding general elections in June.

Despite Dabaiba’s announcement that the elections will take place next June, the Libyan institutions have not agreed on a date to hold them, and this threatens to be unable to organize them again on this date, especially since differences over the electoral law and the role of the judiciary in the elections have hampered the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections that were planned in December 24 last.

The Libyans hope that holding parliamentary and presidential elections will contribute to ending the armed conflict that has plagued their oil-rich country for years.

Africa and the EU seal a "renewed partnership" in Brussels

Press conference by Senegalese President Macky Sall during the second day of the European Union (EU) and African Union (AU) summit.

The EU and the African Union (AU) sealed a "renovated partnership" in Brussels on Friday, with in particular the launch of a European investment strategy of 150 billion euros and increased aid to produce vaccines against Covid in Africa.

The Europeans are also paving the way for an increased re-allocation in favor of Africans of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) special drawing rights intended for rich countries, but without firm commitment, according to the joint declaration adopted at the 6th summit of the two organizations .

"Our common vision aims to consolidate a renewed partnership for solidarity, security, peace, sustainable economic development" , pleaded the African and European leaders, who have been meeting since Thursday to "reinvent" their relationship . and "install new software ", according to the expression of the Senegalese Macky Sall, president of the AU.

150 billion over seven years

The meeting was an opportunity for the Twenty-Seven to launch a global investment strategy endowed with at least 150 billion euros over seven years to "help projects wanted and carried by Africans" , with priority to transport infrastructure, digital networks and energy. All while guaranteeing "responsible, transparent, inclusive governance" , according to the declaration.

The Europeans, who promise to have provided a cumulative total of at least 450 million doses of Covid vaccines to Africans by the summer, have also pledged to help African countries produce RNA vaccines on their soil. messenger, a program unveiled Friday by the World Health Organization (WHO). The EU will also mobilize 425 million euros to speed up vaccination campaigns by supporting the distribution of doses and the training of medical teams.

On the other hand, advocating a supervised transfer of technologies, EU leaders reiterated their opposition to the lifting of vaccine patents , bitterly demanded by their African counterparts, in particular South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

EU support for peace operations

The final declaration also calls for "voluntary and ambitious contributions" from rich countries, which can redistribute to Africans their special drawing rights (SDRs) convertible securities created by the International Monetary Fund and allocated to its member states, which can spend them without going into debt.

So far, the Europeans have collectively reallocated 13 billion dollars of their SDRs to Africa, out of 55 billion reallocated by the rich countries at the world level, a level well below the objective of 100 billion claimed by the AU.

At a time when coups and terrorism are fueling instability in Africa, and following the announcement by Paris and its allies of their withdrawal from Mali, the EU is also committed to helping peace missions and operations carried out by African forces , training them and building their equipment and capabilities.

Tanzania: Justice orders the continuation of the trial against Mbowe

Chairman of the main opposition party Chadema Freeman Mbowe arriving at the High Court in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, February 18, 2022.

In Tanzania, a judge has ordered the continuation of the terrorism trial of Freeman Mbowe, the court believing that there are sufficient incriminating elements against the defendants.

At 59, the leader of the main opposition party Chadema is accused of financing terrorism and terrorist conspiracy with three other co-defendants. The defense had asked to drop the charges, believing that the case is only political.

“We received the judgment with great disappointment ,” explains Rose Jacob, local chief of Chadema for the coastal region. "Today, we expected to be able to leave with the president of our party to go to our headquarters for the celebrations, but unfortunately the judge's decision was unfair".

Freeman Mbowe was arrested on July 21, 2021 shortly before a rally calling for constitutional reforms was held.

"We won't give up and we won't lose hope ," said Chadema supporter Yolanda Kaunya. "Mbowe is our president and he is like a father to our party. We will ensure that his rights are respected. This is not the end and we will continue to fight until our president is freed."

"We had a lot of expectations about the course of the hearing ," continues Asiah Msangi, a supporter of Chadema and supporter of Mbowe. "We thought he could have won and we could have left with our leader. It really hurts us, especially knowing how our government is running this country."

Freeman Mbowe alleges that he was tortured in detention and had to record statements under duress. The next hearing is scheduled for March 4.