The outgoing Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General to Libya, Stephanie Williams issued a farewell statement. “I have led the three intra-Libyan tracks laid out by the Berlin Conference, and enshrined in the subsequent United Nations Security Council resolutions.”
“I appreciate the commitment of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC), with whom I have had the pleasure to work for over two years. To maintain the October 2020 ceasefire agreement, to press ahead with plans to unify the military institutions, and to arrange the departure of mercenaries and foreign forces who violate Libyan sovereignty. I also appreciate their commitment to the principle of civilian oversight of the military, a principle which must be upheld. I applaud the lifting of the oil blockade, but am concerned about efforts to politicize the National Oil Corporation (NOC),” Stephanie Williams added.
“The NOC and all sovereign institutions should enjoy complete autonomy and independence from political manoeuvring. The country’s revenues must be transparently managed, and the recommendations of the UN-facilitated audit of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) should be fully implemented, including the much-needed unification of the bank. I thank the Secretary-General for entrusting me with the leadership of the United Nations good offices, and the terrific United Nations team in Libya, for their steadfast support throughout my tenure. I also wish to thank the Regional Organizations and the many Member States that have supported the UN efforts,” Stephanie Williams stated.
“Last, but not least: throughout my mission, I have advocated for the inclusion of youth in the political process. Their voices must be lifted. I have also advocated for the too many women who have been attacked, abused, illegally detained, disappeared, and perished for their political ideas,” she said.
Williams urged Libyan leaders and institutions to commit seriously to protecting women’s participation in public life. “There can be no meaningful participation without protection. “Violence against women in Libya must stop.”