DR Congo recalls ambassador from Libya

By Godfrey Olukya

ARU, Democratic Republic of Congo (AA) - The Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday recalled its ambassador from Libya following reports that some Congolese and citizens of other African countries were being sold as slaves in the North African country.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said while it welcomed Libyan authorities’ opening of a judicial inquiry into the allegations, the country decided to recall its ambassador to Tripoli so that more light could be shed on the abject migrant trade currently prevailing in Libya.

It added the DRC ambassador to Tripoli would reveal the situation in Libya so that a mission of identification and, if necessary, of repatriation of Congolese nationals found enslaved in Libya could be carried out.

''Slavery in all its forms is a foul practice that revolts all consciousness and has no place in the contemporary world.

“The abject trade of migrants that currently prevails in Libya is an unspeakable practice against African citizens,” it said.

The ministry also strongly condemned the “most vile abuses of human rights that fall under the category of crimes against humanity” in Libya, which it said was deeply painful for the entire African continent.

It urged the African Union to take appropriate measures to stop the practice.