Since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been divided between the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), based in the capital Tripoli, in the west, and a rival government in Benghazi in the east.
Lack of trust
Ms Tetteh spoke to stakeholders about the implementation of the roadmap, which she presented to the Council in August.
However, the first two steps – the formation of a board for the Supreme National Electoral Commission (HNEC) and the adoption of constitutional and legal changes necessary for the elections – have not been achieved.
“We believe that the delays reflect the lack of trust between the two institutions, their own internal divisions and the inability to overcome their differences and agree on the way forward to break the current impasse,” she said.
The two institutions she referred to are Libya’s two parliaments: the Supreme Council of State (HCS) in Tripoli and the House of Representatives (HoR) in Benghazi. Although the HNEC board currently has enough members to conduct business, the east is not represented. Nevertheless, municipal elections could be held in October.
“It would be desirable that HNEC should have a fully constituted board to manage the process of holding the most consequential elections in the history of the country,” she said.
After simultaneous demonstrations in five cities last month, HoR chairman Aguila Saleh called for presidential elections. The HNEC also stated its readiness to begin preparations for the presidential and parliamentary elections starting in April, and GNA Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh reiterated these calls.
On the issue of constitutional and legal changes required for elections, Ms Tetteh said the HCS had dissolved its delegation to the “6+6 Committee” – tasked with proposing new electoral laws to regulate the vote – in 2023. The reconstituted delegation was only announced on December 17 this year following internal disputes.
A structured dialogue begins
This month also saw the launch in Tripoli of the opening meeting of the Structured Dialogue, bringing together UNSMIL 124 representatives from key sovereign institutions, civil society, political parties, academia and the cultural world.
“This is the first process of this magnitude to be held on Libyan territory,” she said, and the plan is to facilitate meetings of the four thematic working groups across the country, as well as online.
The process “is expected to help create the political conditions for a peaceful electoral process, as well as help maintain peace and stability in the aftermath of the elections.”
Economic vulnerability and rights violations
Meanwhile, Libya remains content with a weak economy. In November, delegates from the HoR and the HCS signed an agreement on a common framework for development expenditure. The UN mission called this a step in the right direction “if implemented with transparency, effective oversight and alignment with Libyan law and international standards for public finance management.”
Regarding the human rights situation, Ms Tetteh expressed deep concern about violations, including violence against women, migrants and minorities, and deaths in custody. She said the killing of blogger Khansa Al-Moujahed in Tripoli last month “sends a chilling message to women about participating in public life and risks silencing them at a time when their contribution is most needed.”
UNSMIL has also verified the deaths of 25 people in custody since March 2024, which “raises serious concerns about broader patterns of arbitrary detention, ill-treatment and lack of accountability.”
Rise above differences
Concluding her remarks, Ms. Tetteh emphasized that “the political process should not be held hostage by the inaction of key political stakeholders who, willingly or unwillingly, maintain the status quo.”
She pointed out that Libyans will celebrate Independence Day on December 24, the date on which national elections would take place in 2021.
“Four years later, the country’s road to elections remains fraught with complications that are challenging but can be overcome,” she said.
“I call on all Libyan leaders to respond to the demands of the Libyan people and rise above their differences in the interests of the unity and integrity of the Libyan state and to promote the well-being of the Libyan people.”
#Security #Council #hears #declining #election #prospects #Libya