Libya’s UN Mission (UNSMIL) has formed a 20-member committee to propose solutions to the electoral deadlock hindering national elections since 2021. The committee will meet next week to develop proposals focused on resolving contentious issues. Amid ongoing political divisions, skepticism remains among Libyans regarding the intentions of their leaders, as recent events include a leadership change within UNSMIL.
The United Nations Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has established a committee aimed at proposing solutions to the ongoing electoral deadlock in Libya. This initiative comes after the collapse of a planned national election in December 2021, exacerbated by disputes regarding the candidates’ eligibility. Given the turmoil following the 2011 NATO-supported uprising, which led to a split between eastern and western factions, the country has been mired in instability.
The advisory committee comprises 20 members, including 13 men and 7 women, whose first meeting is scheduled for next week in Tripoli. UNSMIL emphasized that the committee will focus on creating technically sound and politically viable proposals that can facilitate the eventual holding of elections. Importantly, the committee is not a decision-making body, nor is it a forum for dialogue; its tasks are time-bound, to be completed within a short time frame.
Members of the committee were selected based on their expertise in legal and electoral matters and their ability to navigate Libya’s political complexities. Libya’s political landscape features a Tripoli-based Government of National Unity led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, which is not recognized by the rival House of Representatives (HoR) in Benghazi. Al-Dbeibah has vowed not to relinquish power without elections, highlighting the political tension.
Many Libyans express skepticism regarding their leaders’ intentions, suspecting that they may be reluctant to hold elections that could compromise their positions. The ongoing political divisions are deemed damaging to the nation’s unity, sovereignty, and stability. The HoR was last elected in 2014, and a High State Council exists in Tripoli based on a 2015 agreement derived from an earlier parliamentary election in 2012.
In a recent development, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Hanna Serwaa Tetteh of Ghana as the new special representative for Libya and head of UNSMIL, succeeding Abdoulaye Bathily of Senegal. This shift represents an effort to revitalize international engagement in resolving Libya’s protracted political crisis.
Libya has experienced tumultuous political unrest and division since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted Muammar Gaddafi. This descent into chaos has led to persistent conflicts, resulting in the establishment of rival governments in the eastern and western parts of the country. Long-awaited national elections, intended to unify the country’s political landscape, have faced significant obstacles, particularly regarding candidate eligibility. The United Nations has played a crucial role in attempting to mediate and facilitate a resolution to these divisions.
The UNSMIL’s formation of a committee aims to address the hurdles keeping Libya from holding national elections after prolonged conflict. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the political leaders’ genuine intentions, the committee’s creation is a structured effort to navigate the complexities of Libya’s fragmented governance. Strengthening electoral processes is crucial for the stability of Libya, and the recent leadership changes in the UN seek to enhance international support in this endeavor.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
