In a recent Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Jennifer Gavito, President Biden’s nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Libya, faced scrutiny over America’s strategy in the North African nation. The hearing highlighted concerns about Russia’s expanding influence and the potential for U.S. economic engagement in Libya.
Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) raised alarm over Moscow’s growing military presence in eastern Libya. He cited a September meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and General Khalifa Haftar, which discussed a potential defense accord that could lead to a Russian naval base in the country. Ricketts also noted the influx of Russian special forces and mercenaries from Ukraine to Libya, as well as significant shipments of military equipment to the port of Tobruk.
On April 14th, Fawasel Media Platform obtained from a source a video recording from the port of Al-Hariga in Tobruk showing a Russian naval ship unloading trucks, weapons, and military equipment. The source confirmed that this is at least the fifth batch of military equipment that has arrived in Tobruk during the previous 45 days, noting that Russian forces stationed at the port of Tobruk were supervising its unloading.
Gavito acknowledged these developments as “the biggest challenge facing Libya,” exacerbated by the lack of a unified government. She emphasized the need for a strong U.S. diplomatic presence on the ground to counter Russian influence and engage with all political actors across the spectrum.
When pressed on the likelihood of a Russian naval base in Libya, Gavito stated she would take such reports “very seriously,” given Russia’s pattern of military deployments and stated intentions to deepen its foothold in the region.
The hearing also addressed the challenges of engaging with Haftar, who has resisted U.N. efforts to form a unified government and hold nationwide elections. Gavito stressed the importance of presenting a framework that demonstrates the benefits of Libyan sovereignty and economic stability to all parties involved.
Senator Todd Young (R-IN) highlighted Libya’s untapped energy potential and the need for increased U.S. business presence in the country. Gavito noted that Libyan interlocutors have expressed a desire for greater U.S. corporate involvement, particularly in energy, security, and infrastructure sectors.
The nominee emphasized the potential for American companies, with their strong corporate governance cultures, to make a positive impact on the Libyan economy. She also mentioned the growing U.S. exports to Libya, which reached $291 million last year, as a sign of improving economic ties.
In her opening statement, Gavito underscored Libya’s strategic importance to U.S. national security interests. She highlighted the threats posed by both Russia and China, with the latter making significant inroads into Libya’s information and communications technology sector.
Gavito also addressed the need to leverage American innovation and influence to help secure Libya’s contributions to stable energy markets. She emphasized the importance of supporting transparent, accountable management of Libya’s oil and gas revenues to ensure these resources become a source of unity rather than division.
The nominee committed to working towards resuming embassy operations in Tripoli, prioritizing the safety and security of U.S. personnel. She stressed that a permanent diplomatic presence is crucial for America to effectively lead and counter the influence of strategic rivals active on the ground in Libya.
Throughout the hearing, Gavito underscored the complexity of the Libyan situation and the need for a comprehensive U.S. strategy to counter malign Russian influence while promoting stability, economic development, and unified governance in this strategically important nation.