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 administration in Benghazi in the east.
lack of confidence
Ms Tetteh has been engaging with stakeholders on the implementation of the roadmap, which she presented to Council in August.
However, the first two steps – the formation of a board for the High National Electoral Commission (HNEC) and the adoption of the constitutional and legal amendments necessary for the elections – have not been achieved.
“We believe that the delays are a manifestation of the lack of trust between the two institutions, their own internal divisions and the inability to overcome their differences and agree on a way forward to resolve the current impasse,” he said.
The two institutions he referred to are Libya’s two parliaments: the High Council of State (HCS) in Tripoli and the House of Representatives (CoR) in Benghazi. While the HNEC board currently has enough members to conduct business, the East is not represented. Despite this, municipal elections were held in October.
“It would be desirable for HNEC to have a fully constituted board to manage the process of carrying out what would be the most important elections in the history of the country,” he said.
Following simultaneous demonstrations in five cities last month, HoR president Aguila Saleh called for presidential elections. The HNEC also expressed its readiness to begin preparations for the presidential and legislative elections starting in April, and GNA Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh echoed these calls.
On the issue of constitutional and legal amendments needed for the elections, Ms Tetteh said the HCS dissolved its delegation to the “6+6 Committee”, tasked with proposing new electoral laws to govern voting, in 2023. The reconstituted delegation was not announced until December 17 this year following internal disputes.
Structured dialogue begins
The inaugural structured dialogue meeting was also launched this month in Tripoli, with UNSMIL bringing together 124 representatives from key sovereign institutions, civil society, political parties, academia and culture.
“This is the first process of this magnitude to be held on Libyan soil,” he 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 facilitate the creation of political conditions for a peaceful electoral process to take place and also help maintain peace and stability after the elections.”
Economic fragility and rights violations
Meanwhile, Libya remains content with a weak economy. In November, House of Representatives and HCS delegates signed an agreement on a common framework for development spending. The UN Mission hailed this as a step in the right direction “if implemented with transparency, effective oversight and alignment with Libyan law and international public financial management standards.”
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 their participation 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 the differences
Concluding her remarks, Ms. Tetteh insisted that “the political process must not be held hostage to the inaction of key political actors who, willingly or not, maintain the status quo.”
He noted that Libyans will celebrate Independence Day on December 24, which marks the same date scheduled for national elections in 2021.
“Four years later, the country’s path to the elections remains plagued by complications that are difficult but can be overcome,” he said.
“I call on all Libyan leaders to respond to the demands of the Libyan people and overcome their differences for the sake of the unity and integrity of the Libyan State and to promote the well-being of the Libyan people.”