Charades
The life of Ula Wallström has become the playball of a political game about the future of Libya. The terrorist group that abducted her and others was not identified until recently, which of course fired the imagination of the delegates.
The first suggestion, rather self-evident, was that General Khalifa Haftar could be the master of puppets behind this terrorist act. He would fit perfectly on the image of the strongman painted in the demands of the terrorists.
Quickly the delegation of Egypt, ally of Haftar, put a communiqué on the table, which they’d received from the General. He wants to cooperate and do everything humanly possible to find Ula and return her safely to her country.
But, is this an honest offer or is Haftar playing a double-faced game? The thought is tempting, as in either case he could profit from this development. Should the UNSC, however unlikely, accept the terms, he could solidify his grip on his territories in Libya and possibly expand his power.
If they decide to work with him to find Ula, this would look like they give his rule some level of legitimacy and weaken the standing of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).
Of course, the allegation is not proven, but already the supporters of General Haftar are gaining ground in the discussions in the Security Council. Of course, they reject any claims that he could be behind the attack.
The next stage in the game was initiated by intelligence presented by the delegation of the People’s Republic of China insinuating that GNA are behind the attack themselves. The reasoning being that it could help them to rally the Security Council into taking action against General Haftar.
Even though the culprits have been identified recently as a group operating from territory formally controlled by the GNA, in the region of Cyrenaica, it is saddening to watch how the abduction of an innocent young woman is misused by so many sides for political games and gains. It can only be hoped that Ula Wallström will be rescued and taken out of this political charade.
UPDATE:
Ula Wallström confirmed safe and on her way to Sweden after successful rescue mission.
