Sec. 102. Report of Russian activities and objectives in Libya

291 words·~1 min read·/bill/117/hr/1228/eh/section-102

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Congress makes the following findings: General Stephen Townsend, Commander of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), warned in January 2020 that in Libya, Russia seeks to demonstrate itself as an alternative partner to the West and seeks to position itself alongside the southern flank of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). AFRICOM has also stated that the Russian military presence in Libya threatens future United States military partnerships and counterterrorism cooperation by impeding United States access to Libya.

AFRICOM has reported that the Government of Russia deployed 14 MiG-29 and Su-24 aircraft, SA-22 air defense equipment, and mine-resistant ambush protected armored vehicles to Libya to support Russian state-sponsored private military contractors, including the Wagner Group. In January 2021, United States officials told the international press that mercenaries affiliated with the Wagner Group were constructing sophisticated defensive fortifications in central Libya. Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report that contains an assessment of Russian activities and objectives in Libya, including— the potential threat such activities pose to the United States, southern Europe, NATO, and partners in the Mediterranean Sea and North African region; the direct role of Russia in Libyan financial affairs, to include issuing and printing currency;

Russia’s use of mercenaries, military contractors, equipment, and paramilitary forces in Libya; and an assessment of sanctions and other policies adopted by United States partners and allies against the Wagner Group and its destabilizing activities in Libya, including sanctions on Yevgeny Prigozhin. The report required by paragraph

(1)shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.