Libya.. Armed men storm the Audit Bureau to impose appointments by force

Listen to the article. The audio text is automated, generated by an automated system

Today, Wednesday, an armed group stormed the headquarters of the Audit Bureau in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, in an attempt to impose a change in its leadership, in a move that sparked a crisis within one of the most important sovereign institutions in the country, amid international condemnation of the use of force to impose disputed appointments within sovereign institutions.

Circulating scenes showed footage of armed and masked members entering the Bureau’s headquarters, which local media said were affiliated with the “444th Brigade” of the National Unity Government, in a move aimed at enabling Anwar Al-Housh to assume his duties as Undersecretary of the Audit Bureau, in implementation of the decision of the President of the Supreme Council of State, Muhammad Takala.

In reaction to the incident, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya condemned the use of force and intimidation inside the headquarters of the Audit Bureau, in an attempt to impose a disputed appointment for the position of Deputy Head of the Audit Bureau.

The mission called for the immediate cessation of all forms of armed interference in the affairs of the Bureau, and the urgent withdrawal of armed elements from its headquarters, stressing that the use of force to impose appointments within sovereign institutions is completely unacceptable, and constitutes a threat to the rule of law and the integrity and independence of these institutions.

The mission expressed its deep concern about the targeting of the Audit Bureau, as an independent oversight institution, warning that imposing leadership changes within it through intimidation would further erode public confidence, undermine the integrity of financial oversight, and obstruct the Bureau’s performance of its duties independently and effectively, to the detriment of the interest of Libyans.

It called on the concerned parties to settle disputes related to appointments in sovereign institutions exclusively through approved legal and institutional channels, in accordance with applicable Libyan legislation and in line with the provisions and principles of the Libyan Political Agreement.

For their part, the employees and members of the Audit Bureau announced, in a statement on Wednesday evening, the suspension of work due to the attack that occurred at their workplace, until the safety of workers, the independence of the regulatory institution, and non-interference in its affairs are guaranteed.

The Audit Bureau is one of the main oversight institutions in Libya, as it monitors aspects of public spending and examines the disposal of government funds and resources, making it one of the most prominent bodies concerned with ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of public money.