United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 on Libya has proven to be extremely controversial. It mandates the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya and resolves to take all necessary measures to protect civilians under threat of attack. Some Africans have been critical of South Africa and the other African countries that supported the resolution in their capacity as non-permanent members of the Security Council. Pretoria and many others have, in turn, been critical of NATO's implementation of the resolution, arguing that it amounted to regime change, undermined the legitimacy of the UN and obstructed the AU's endeavour to find a political solution to the Libyan conflict through dialogue and negotiations. Yet others have argued that the AU has failed historically to address the authoritarianism and oppression of the Gadaffi regime and therefore lacked the credibility and non-partisan status required of a peacemaker.

Date: Thursday 15 September 2011
Time: 18h00 to 20h00
Venue: Senate Hall, University of Pretoria (Building 12 - H3 on the map of campus)
RSVP: Mrs Wilma Martin (012 420 2034 or [email protected]) on or before 13 September

This event is sponsored by the Open Society Foundation for South Africa