Abdoulaye Bathily, Special Representative for Libya and head of the UN’s political mission to the country, said: “The political process is still protracted and does not meet the aspirations of the Libyan people. who are seeking to elect their leaders and strengthen their political institutions”. SURPRISE.
“In short, the Libyans are impatient,” he stressed, noting that they are widely questioning the will and desire of political actors to hold inclusive and transparent elections in 2023, as planned.
important election
Outlines his broad engagement with Libyan actors in recent months – from civil society representatives to tribal leaders to the nation’s senior authorities – said the Special Representative he also met with General Khalifa Haftar, the head of the so-called Libyan National Army, a rival administration to the UN-recognized Government of National Accord.
Libya has been grappling with many crises since 2011 overthrow Muammar Gaddafi, who has led the oil-rich nation since 1969, and the United Nations has worked to support a peaceful resolution since.
In December 2021, legal disputes and other challenges forced Libya to they eatand then canceled important presidential and parliamentary elections, causing frustration both within and beyond the country’s borders.
Special Representative Bathily, appointed in September 2022, aims to help Libyan parties and international partners agree on a constitutional basis for such elections by the end of February.
‘Crisis of legitimacy’
Meanwhile, Mr. Bathily said Libya’s political class continues to face a major crisis of legitimacyand most State organs lost power in the eyes of ordinary Libyans “years ago”.
He cited the lack of progress in the elections as an important barrier to progress forward, he claimed. decided to launch a new initiative aimed at allowing the holding and holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2023.
The proposed “high-level steering committee” would bring together all relevant Libyan stakeholders to facilitate the adoption of the legal framework, as well as a time limit road mapfor holding elections this calendar year.
It will also provide a platform to promote consensus around related issues, such as election security and the adoption of a code of conduct for all candidates.
Calm ‘fragile’
Turning to the Libyan reconciliation process, the Special Representative praised the strong support from the African Union and called for a comprehensive conference to achieve that goal.
“Reconciliation is a long-term process that should be comprehensive, victim-centered, rights-based, and based on transitional justice principles,” he said.
Reports that the Libyan ceasefire continues to be maintained – no violations have been recorded since his last press conference in December – however, he warned that Libya’s security situation remains fragile and recent advances must be protected.
Among them, he said the “5+5” Libyan Joint Military Commission, which has been working on the military path of the internal Libya negotiations for several years, recently adopted the terms of reference. for the Joint Technical Subcommittee on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration. – an important ingredient of the country’s truce.
Foreign mercenaries and fighters
Another important event was a recent meeting between Libya’s neighbors – including Sudan and Niger – in which participants agreed to establish a coordinate and share information committee, in order to facilitate the withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign fighters from the country.
Speaking last week at an African Union meeting High Commission on Libyaat Addis Ababa, Secretary General António Guterres pointed out that foreign intervention pushed Libya into conflict.
He welcomed the creation of a coordinating committee because “an important step towards greater stability and peace in Libya and the wider region,” while emphasizing that “there is no alternative to elections” on the political path.
