During a briefing to the U.N. Security Council, Stephanie Koury, the U.N. deputy special envoy for Libya, revealed plans for the U.N. political mission in Libya, known as UNSMIL, to create an advisory committee. This committee will be tasked with developing a set of options to tackle unresolved electoral issues and establish a clear roadmap for holding elections within a set timeframe.
Koury explained that this committee will consist of respected figures and experts who represent the diverse political, cultural, and geographical aspects of Libyan society. She emphasized that the role of the committee is not to make decisions but to provide actionable options for Libyan leaders to consider.
Since the overthrow of longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, Libya has been mired in turmoil. The country is now divided, with competing administrations in both the east and west, each supported by various militias and foreign powers.
The ongoing political crisis in Libya can be traced back to the failure to conduct elections scheduled for December 24, 2021. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who leads a transitional government in the western capital of Tripoli, has thus far refused to resign. In retaliation, Libya’s parliament located in the east appointed a rival prime minister, though this figure was soon replaced, and the prominent military leader Khalifa Hifter maintains significant influence in the eastern region.
Koury pointed out that the entrenched polarization and these lingering electoral challenges pose a significant threat to Libya’s national unity and territorial integrity, undermining the foundations of the transitional governance structure. Additionally, she noted that the contention among armed factions for territorial control and access to the country’s resources is further destabilizing the situation.
In the weeks leading up to this announcement, Koury shared the broad outlines of this initiative with critical Libyan stakeholders, as well as regional and international allies. On the previous night, she presented UNSMIL’s strategy to the Libyan populace, focusing on key goals such as establishing stability, fostering “Libyan ownership,” enhancing the capacity of Libyan institutions, and ensuring the representation of various political and cultural groups within the national dialogue.
The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who is presiding over the council this month, asserted that a new political framework is essential for Libya to prevent further divisions and deterioration of national sovereignty, potentially leading the country back to violence. She expressed confidence in the U.N.’s capability as an international actor to spearhead this endeavor, urging the global community to support these U.N.-led initiatives.
However, Libyan U.N. Ambassador Taher El-Sonni, representing the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, called for Security Council members to apologize to the Libyan people. He criticized the Council for reiterating plans with minimal changes that do little to advance the electoral process. El-Sonni advocated for a national dialogue as the optimal method to bridge differences and reach a consensus on conducting general elections as soon as feasible, emphasizing that such consensus is vital for addressing the unresolved issues in electoral laws.