The French website “Africa Intelligence” revealed that the replacement of the Minister of Oil in Libya, Mohamed Aoun, bears the fingerprints of Ibrahim Ali Dabaiba, a relative of the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dabaiba.
According to the report issued by the French website, this action shows the role of Dabaiba and his growing influence on the political and economic scene in Libya.
The report showed that the change of the oil minister came after a letter issued by Dabaiba last March, which includes replacing Aoun with the presidency of the Ministry of Oil, and that this decision strengthens Dabaiba’s political position, especially with the increasing competition for his powers.
As part of the tactical steps, the report also revealed details of Ibrahim Dabaiba’s appointment to the Ministry of Oil in 2022, which came as part of an agreement aimed at strengthening Farhat bin Qadara’s position as head of the National Oil Corporation.
The change of the oil minister reflects the tense relationship between Aoun and Dabaiba, as there was a permanent disagreement between them over oil projects, especially with regard to the signing of a memorandum with Turkey to explore for hydrocarbon resources in Libyan waters, in October 2022.
Aoun was arrested on the twenty-fifth of last March, by a decision of the head of the Administrative Control Authority, Abdullah Qadirboh, while he is subject to investigation before the authority.
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