In a troubling development, Canadian authorities have accused Chinese officials of attempting to smuggle military drones to Khalifa Haftar, a prominent Libyan warlord, using COVID-19 aid as a cover. This allegation comes amid ongoing investigations into a purported $1 billion deal for 42 drones, which was allegedly arranged with corrupt United Nations officials. A Canadian investigator revealed that the scheme involved leveraging humanitarian aid to bypass international sanctions [002c8e24].
The investigation has already led to charges against two individuals, Fathi Al-Mawak and Mahmoud Al-Sayeh, for their roles in the illegal sales of Chinese drones to Libya. Al-Sayeh is currently wanted by Interpol, while Al-Mawak has been arrested. These developments highlight a broader strategy by the Chinese government to facilitate military equipment sales through approved companies, raising concerns about the implications for regional stability and international law [002c8e24].
This situation unfolds against the backdrop of China's increasing military involvement in Africa, as seen in its recent military aid to Benin, aimed at combating terrorism in the region. While China has been strengthening its ties with African nations, the allegations of arms smuggling to Libya complicate its diplomatic efforts and raise questions about its adherence to international norms [8c7c00c9]. As the investigation progresses, it remains to be seen how these accusations will impact China's relations with both Canada and the broader international community [d446165d].