CAPE TOWN — One of the most prominent members of the African Union, South Africa, called for an immediate ceasefire in Libya on Tuesday, after South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma’s talks in Tripoli failed to advance an African Union peace plan. “Consistent with the decision of the AU on Libya, we reiterate our call for immediate ceasefire that is verifiable and encourage the warring parties to begin a dialogue to a democratic transition,” said South African foreign minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to parliament. “We strongly still believe that there is no solution for the Libyan problem that will come militarily but only with political dialogue,” she added.
Zuma met with Libyan President Moamar Gadhaffi in Tripoli on Monday, but was unable to bridge the gulf between the Libyan leader and rebels on a plan proposed by the continental organisation. The Western backed rebels have rejected the AU proposal, which calls for a ceasefire and “implementation of the political reforms necessary for the elimination of the causes of the current crisis”. That falls short of the rebel demand for Gadhaffi to leave power, and Zuma has so far said nothing about how to mind the gap.
After meeting Gadhaffi, Zuma said that the Libyan leader was “ready to implement the roadmap of the AU,” which would include a halt to NATO-led bombing. Gadhaffi insisted “all Libyans be given a chance to talk among themselves” to determine the country’s future, said Zuma, who is heading the African Union mediation process in Libya.
South Africa has consistently slammed the airstrikes against Gadhaffi’s government, although it supported the United Nations no-fly zone resolution that led to the NATO-led campaign. “South Africa did not vote for regime change. By the time we voted on this resolution, more than 2,000 people were mowed down by their own government that was supposed to protect them,” said Nkoana-Mashabane. “We apologise to no one for having been informed by our foreign policy to vote the way that we did. And we will continue saying that.”
South Africa was once tipped as a possible exile destination for Gadhaffi , but Pretoria has said no offer was ever extended. That possibility is unlikely now that the International Criminal Court in The Hague seeks an arrest warrant for him on charges of crimes against humanity, accusing him of having ordered his forces to gun down civilians in their homes, at funerals and outside mosques. If the warrant is issued by the court’s judges, South Africa’s treaty obligations would require Kadhafi’s arrest if he were to enter the country.
But the Times newspaper in Johannesburg reported Tuesday that Libyan officials have entered into a agreement with South African law firm Langa Attorneys to provide legal advice and services to Gadhaffi and other top leaders.
Under the agreement reportedly reached three weeks ago, the firm was asked to assemble a team of international law experts to put together Kadhafi’s defence strategy if he quits, says the report.