UN Security Council Addresses the Fragile Stability and Ongoing Risks in Libya
The UN emphasizes the increasing risks to Libya’s fragile stability post-revolution, urging support for new initiatives aimed at resolving political stalemate and promoting national elections. Deep divisions and ongoing human rights abuses remain significant challenges. The establishment of an Advisory Committee is a positive step; however, political fragmentation and security threats hinder progress. Continued international support is crucial for promoting stability and addressing humanitarian needs.
The aspiration for a civil, democratic, and prosperous Libya remains unachieved, as articulated by Rosemary DiCarlo, the head of UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, during a recent Security Council session. She remarked that deep-rooted divisions and mismanagement continue to destabilize the nation, reiterating that “the fragile stability in Libya is increasingly at risk.”
DiCarlo urged Security Council members to support the new UN Special Representative for Libya, Hanna Tetteh, in her mission to address the political deadlock and aid Libyans in uniting their institutions and organizing inclusive national elections. The country’s administration is fragmented, with the Government of National Unity located in the northwest and the Government of National Stability operating in the east.
Following the cancellation of crucial elections planned for December 2021, largely due to candidate eligibility disputes, DiCarlo emphasized the dire need for progress. She announced that the UN Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has created an Advisory Committee comprising 20 members, including legal and constitutional experts, over a third of whom are women. This Committee aims to propose solutions for the ongoing electoral stalemate, although it is not a decision-making body.
The inaugural meeting of this Committee took place in Tripoli last week, with members actively discussing contentious issues. Concurrently, UNSMIL is promoting structured dialogue among Libyans to tackle persistent conflict drivers and develop a collective vision for the nation’s future, while also consulting with economic experts on governance issues.
Despite these initiatives, political fragmentation continues to obstruct unified state budgeting and economic governance efforts, as noted by DiCarlo. Political rivalries are evident in the unresolved leadership dispute over the presidency of the High Council of State, leaving it deeply divided and ineffective.
Additionally, the landscape of national reconciliation remains hampered by political strife, despite a draft law agreement facilitated by UNSMIL among pivotal institutions last December. The African Union recently supported a reconciliation charter, but its acceptance has been mixed among Libyan stakeholders, although ongoing engagements persist.
The situation is exacerbated by the actions of non-state armed groups, with DiCarlo calling for a thorough investigation into the recent armed assault on a Government Minister. The incomplete implementation of the 2020 Ceasefire Agreement poses further challenges for security and efforts to reform the security sector.
Human rights violations persist, with arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances on the rise. DiCarlo revealed alarming cases of deaths in custody and underscored the plight of migrants enduring severe human rights abuses, citing the recent discovery of mass graves linked to human trafficking.
UNSMIL’s recent engagements with local authorities and humanitarian partners aim to bolster the response for Sudanese refugees fleeing to Libya amid rising humanitarian needs, with a targeted response plan projected to support 446,000 individuals in Libya requiring $106 million.
In conclusion, Libya remains in precarious condition fourteen years post-revolution, with the UN emphasizing urgent measures for political resolution and national unity. The establishment of the Advisory Committee signifies a step towards addressing electoral challenges, though divisions persist within governing bodies. Additionally, human rights issues and security threats pose ongoing risks. The international community, therefore, must support Libya’s efforts towards a stable and unified future.
Original Source: news.un.org
