A prominent Washington lobbying firm with deep ties to the Trump administration has entered into a $2 million agreement to represent Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar, whose forces face extensive allegations of human rights violations. Ballard Partners, staffed by former Trump administration officials, will advocate for Haftar and his son Saddam, deputy commander of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF), according to lobbying disclosures obtained by the Washington Post.
Human Rights Watch has documented grave abuses within detention centers operated by Haftar’s security forces, including systematic torture, extrajudicial killings, and mutilation of corpses. The organization has called for investigations into these violations, noting that political dissidents have been subjected to unlawful detention, torture, and forced displacement.
Haftar faces multiple legal challenges in US courts, where Libyan families have accused him of war crimes and deliberate torture. While some cases have been dismissed, a 2022 US court ruling found him liable for war crimes against several families. His legal representatives deny all allegations.
The lobbying agreement coincides with Haftar’s consolidation of power in eastern Libya, where his five sons hold key positions. Recent diplomatic engagements include meetings between Saddam Haftar and US officials, including Trump’s Arab and African affairs advisor Massad Boulos and US charge d’affaires Jeremy Brent.
Hanan Salah, HRW’s assistant director for the Middle East and North Africa, criticized the normalization of relations with figures implicated in abuses, stating it undermines accountability efforts. Meanwhile, Africa Intelligence reports suggest US officials are considering a power-sharing arrangement that would maintain Haftar’s military control while preserving Abdul Hamid Dbeibah’s civilian leadership, potentially bypassing elections.