The UN Mission in Libya has formed a committee to address disputes impeding national elections, which have been stalled since December 2021. The committee, comprising 20 members, will meet in Tripoli to develop proposals for resolving contentious political issues. Prime Minister Dbeibah’s GNU lacks recognition from the rival HoR, and many Libyans doubt the political leaders’ commitment to facilitating genuine elections.
The United Nations Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announced the formation of a committee tasked with addressing the issues obstructing the long-awaited national elections. The political process has been in a stalemate since December 2021 when disputes over candidate eligibility led to the cancellation of scheduled elections. Libya has faced instability since a NATO-supported uprising in 2011, resulting in divisions between eastern and western factions governed by rival administrations.
The newly established Advisory Committee comprises 20 members, including 13 men and seven women, who will convene for their initial meeting next week in Tripoli. UNSMIL indicated that the committee’s role involves crafting viable proposals aimed at resolving the outstanding contentious issues that have delayed elections. The Mission clarified that the committee does not hold decision-making power and operates under a time limit to complete its work.
Committee members were selected based on their expertise in legal, constitutional, and electoral matters, as well as their ability to negotiate compromises while considering Libya’s strategic political challenges. Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah leads the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU), which lacks recognition from the rival House of Representatives (HoR) based in Benghazi. Dbeibah has expressed that he will retain power until there is agreement on national elections, reflecting widespread skepticism among Libyans about their leaders’ commitment to truly facilitate electoral processes.
The HoR was constituted through elections in 2014, while the High State Council in Tripoli was formed from a parliamentary agreement established in 2015. In a significant 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.
UNSMIL noted, “Libyans are aware of the damaging effects that the current political divisions are having on their country, its unity, sovereignty and stability.” The continued negotiations represent both a potential turning point and a challenge, as many citizens doubt the genuine intentions behind the leaders’ actions regarding the electoral process.
Libya has been embroiled in conflict since the 2011 uprising that led to the fall of Muammar Gaddafi. The nation has struggled with political fragmentation, resulting in separate governments in the east and west. Attempts to unify the country through elections have repeatedly faltered, and this has led to heightened tensions and public skepticism toward political figures. The UN has been involved in facilitating dialogue to promote stability and democratic governance in Libya.
In conclusion, UNSMIL’s establishment of an Advisory Committee signifies a renewed effort to address the electoral impasse in Libya, which has persisted since the collapse of the planned December 2021 elections. The committee, although advisory, aims to develop actionable proposals to facilitate elections amidst ongoing political division. The fundamental challenge remains whether the political leaders can genuinely commit to reforms and electoral processes that serve the interests of the Libyan populace.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
