Hannah S. Tetteh, leading the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (MANUL), emphasized the urgency of overcoming delays in the political roadmap’s implementation. This roadmap is essential for paving the way for presidential and legislative elections, forming a new unified government, and initiating a structured dialogue on governance, economy, security, and reconciliation.
Since Muammar Gaddafi’s overthrow in 2011, Libya has been split between the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli and a rival administration in Benghazi.
Lack of Confidence
Ms. Tetteh worked with stakeholders on implementing the roadmap presented to the Council in August. However, the initial steps, such as forming a board for the High National Electoral Commission (HNEC) and adopting necessary constitutional and legal amendments, remain unfulfilled.
She attributed these delays to a lack of trust between the two institutions, internal divisions, and their inability to resolve differences and progress from the current stalemate.
The institutions involved are the High Council of State (HCS) in Tripoli and the House of Representatives (HoR) in Benghazi. Although the HNEC board can currently conduct its business, the East is not represented. Despite this, municipal elections proceeded in October.
“It is desirable for the HNEC to have a fully constituted board to manage the critical elections,” she stated.
Following protests in five cities last month, House Speaker Aguila Saleh called for presidential elections. The HNEC announced readiness to prepare for elections starting in April, echoed by GNA Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh.
Regarding the constitutional and legal amendments, Ms. Tetteh noted that the HCS dissolved its “6+6 Committee” delegation in early 2023. The new delegation was announced on December 17 this year after internal conflicts.
A Structured Dialogue Begins
This month, the inaugural Structured Dialogue meeting launched in Tripoli, with UNSMIL gathering 124 representatives from sovereign institutions, civil society, political parties, academia, and culture.
“This is the first process of this scale on Libyan soil,” she said, planning to facilitate meetings of four thematic working groups nationwide and online.
The process aims to create the political conditions necessary for a peaceful electoral process and contribute to maintaining peace and stability post-elections.
Economic Fragility and Rights Violations
Meanwhile, Libya struggles with a weak economy. In November, House of Representatives and HCS delegates signed an agreement on a common framework for development spending. The UN Mission welcomed this step, provided implementation aligns with transparency, effective monitoring, and Libyan laws and international public financial standards.
Ms. Tetteh expressed deep concern over human rights violations, including violence against women, migrants, and minorities, and deaths in custody. The assassination of blogger Khansa Al-Moujahed in Tripoli last month sends a frightening message about women’s participation in public life.
UNSMIL verified 25 deaths in custody since March 2024, raising serious concerns about arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, and lack of accountability patterns.
Rise Above Differences
Concluding her speech, Ms. Tetteh insisted that the political process should not be stalled by the main political actors’ inaction, maintaining the status quo.
She noted Libyans would celebrate Independence Day on December 24, when national elections were scheduled for 2021.
“Four years later, the path to elections is still filled with challenges, but they can be overcome,” she stated.
“I urge all Libyan leaders to listen to the people’s demands and resolve their differences for the unity and integrity of the Libyan state and the well-being of the Libyan people.”
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