“We are concerned that the prolonged political deadlock is having an increasingly negative impact on security.” speak Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Peacebuilding, Rosemary DiCarlo.
“There needs to be a concerted and constructive effort to prevent further polarization and end the political deadlock.”
Commendable progress
Last week, the United Nations Special Advisor Stephanie Williams convened the second round of consultations of the Joint Committee of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State, in Cairo, Egypt, to consider a reformed constitution for a progressive democratic path to the country, Draft Constitution 2017.
The delegations reached agreement in a number of areas, including fundamental rights and freedoms; structure and powers of the new two-tier parliament; and prerogatives of the President and Prime Minister.
Under the auspices of the United Nations, members will reconvene on June 11 for a final round to reach consensus on finalizing constitutional arrangements to hold key elections. country – delayed since last December – the sooner the better.
The Special Counsel also met with the members of the Presidential Council, who expressed their intention to continue the national reconciliation process with the support of the United Nations and the African Union.
Security ‘fragile’
While the 2020 ceasefire continues to be in place, Ms. DiCarlo stated that the security situation “remains fragile”.
She drew attention with clashes in the capital on May 17, following a recent political crisis that began in March, which saw the eastern parliament choose a new government. However, the incumbent UN and the internationally backed Prime Minister refused to step aside.
The parliament’s choice for the top job, Fathi Bashagha, entered Tripoli backed by armed groups, leading to skirmishes with incumbent supporters Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah.
One militia died, one policeman was injured and several buildings were damaged.
After mediation by local agencies and the access of military representatives, from the Joint Military Commission of 5 + 5 Libya (JMC), Mr. Bashagha was escorted out of Tripoli.
“While the fighting has ended, the situation remains tense. The armed groups based in Tripoli that support Mr. Dbeibah or Mr. Bashagha remain on high alert,” the commissar said.
Positive Notes
She reported that the east and west delegations of the JMC met on Monday and Tuesday in Spain for the first time since late February.
After discussions with the 5+5 Committee, the Special Counsel said that members expressed their willingness to continue negotiations on Ceasefire agreement perform.
Meanwhile, the Government of National Unity (GNU)’s reluctance to pay salaries to the Libyan National Army (LNA) in the first quarter of this year – the military wing of the rival administration in the east – has led to the closure of several oil fields and ports, Ms. DiCarlo told the ambassadors: “cut the country’s daily oil production in half.
However, after Special Counsel Williams’ intervention with GNU, the excess salary was paid. Mr. Dbeibah confirmed that he would authorize regular monthly payments.
© UNICEF / Alessio Romenzi
“However, oil production has not yet returned to normal,” she added.
Rights concerns
Ms DiCarlo told the Council the human rights situation in Libya remained a source of great concern, detailing a new wave of youth arrests for crimes against “Libya’s culture and values”.
And restrictions remain on the work of civil society organisations, including women’s rights groups accused of violating “the principles and values of Libyan society”.
Special Counsel Williams visited mass graves in Tarhouna and met with families of missing victims between 2012 and 2020.
“The perpetrators of these terrible crimes have yet to be brought to justice,” Ms. DiCarlo said, noting the “extremely precarious” situation of internally displaced people.
Equally disturbing are the campaigns of mass arrest and detention – under inhumane conditions – of migrants and undocumented foreign nationals in the Western Region.
Solve the difference
“It is imperative that the ceasefire in Libya be maintained, keep calm and avoid any steps that could lead to new violence,” the political head stressed.
It is imperative that the ceasefire in Libya be maintained – UN political chief
She stressed the need for all parties to maintain their commitment to “peacefully resolve political differences” and for political and security actors to “look beyond self-interest and continue to engage in constructively” in the upcoming negotiations in favor of the electoral/constitutional line.
“This is the only way to fulfill the will of the Libyan people in choosing their representative through the ballot box, and affirms that the UN will spare no effort” to support the people of Libya, Ms. DiCarlo said. building “a stable and peaceful country. . ”
Alliance Link
The undersecretary-general highlighted the importance of the Council’s support, which she described as “invaluable in keeping a political process alive”.
Meanwhile, a concerted and constructive effort is needed to prevent further polarization and end the political deadlock.
In a time of “exacerbating global turmoil”, she asserted that unity in the Council and international unity on peace in Libya were “particularly important”.
“That’s what the Libyan people deserve. That’s what the world needs,” concludes Ms. DiCarlo.
Click here to hear the full meeting,
© UNICEF / Giovanni Diffidenti
A boy runs through the rubble of the Bab al-Aziziyah neighborhood in Tripoli, Libya.
