Thirteen Years After Revolution, Libya Struggles for Peace and Democracy
Thirteen years after the revolution that overthrew Muammar Qaddafi’s regime, Libya is still grappling with political turmoil and the elusive quest for sustainable peace and democracy, according to the UN’s special envoy to the country. Abdoulaye Bathily expressed his concern about the entrenched nature of the status quo in Libya and the continuing deadlock among key institutional leaders that has hindered progress towards long-awaited national elections.
Frustration among the Libyan people is widespread due to the failure of their leaders to steer the country towards peace and progress. Despite the completion of work by the 6+6 Joint Committee of the House of Representatives and High State Council to develop a constitutional and legal framework for elections in 2023, none of the major factions in the country have made a decisive move from their initial position. Each faction continues to articulate preconditions for their participation in the dialogue, maintaining the status quo that suits them.
The political impasse persists between the UN-recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah, and the Government of National Stability in the east of the country, led by Prime Minister Osama Hamad and aligned with the House of Representatives and the Libyan National Army under the command of Gen. Khalifa Haftar.
Efforts to mediate between these rival governments have focused on facilitating an agreement on a new roadmap for national elections to unify the government. However, leaders of the two groups failed to reach an agreement on various aspects of the draft legislation.
Bathily highlighted the diverging views among the key institutional stakeholders. While the HoR’s speaker, Aguila Saleh, prioritizes the formation of a unified government and emphasizes the need for the HoR to be established as the sole legitimate political body, Mohammed Takala, the president of the High State Council, has rejected electoral laws published by the HoR and advocates reverting to an earlier version of the legislation.
Prime Minister Dbeiba insists on remaining in office until elections are held under the supervision of the GNU. Meanwhile, Gen. Haftar and Mohammed Al-Menfi, the head of Libya’s Presidential Council, have differing views on the inclusion of both governments in talks.
Bathily called for all factions to engage in talks without preconditions to resolve the issues that prevented elections from taking place in 2021. He emphasized the need to address the fears and concerns of stakeholders, including the transparent management and equitable distribution of resources, safeguards for a level playing field for all candidates, and guarantees that elections do not result in a winner-takes-all scenario.
Regional support for Libya is crucial, and Bathily reiterated his call for a unified and coordinated approach by the international community. He also expressed concern about human rights, humanitarian needs, and the protection of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. There has been a significant increase in the number of Sudanese refugees entering Libya in recent weeks, and UN agencies have limited access to refugees at Libya’s border with Sudan and in official detention centers.
Bathily called on Libyan authorities to ensure full and unhindered access to all persons in need of protection. He also condemned the collective expulsions of migrants and refugees across the borders between Libya and neighboring countries, urging authorities to end forced expulsions, which are violations of international law. He further emphasized the need for full access and independent investigations into all alleged violations and abuses in Libyan detention facilities.
As Libya marks thirteen years since its revolution, the country continues to face significant challenges on its path towards peace and democracy. The resolution of political deadlock, the establishment of a unified government, and the protection of human rights and vulnerable populations are crucial steps towards a brighter future for Libya. International support and coordination are essential in achieving these goals and ensuring a stable and prosperous Libya for its people.