- 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
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.