On Sunday, the former Envoy of the United States to Libya, Jonathan Winer said that “the essence of US efforts to achieve stability in Libya begins with democracy and elections, and includes unifying institutions. As well as using natural resources and wealth for the benefit of the Libyan people, in a comprehensive manner.”
In press statements, Winer said that this essence could be reflected in the four principles in which the US has defined its strategy to prevent conflicts and promote democracy.
The US diplomat explained that these principles are “summed up in enabling the Libyan people to choose their leaders, which requires holding elections. In addition to integration between east, west, and south, to protect Libya itself from its security and economic weaknesses.”
He added that Libya “needs to monopolize the use of force over its government, under the rule of law.” As well as pointing out that “a unified army, the national border control system, and local police forces subject to civilian rule are all natural elements in any normal government and country.”
Winer also stressed the need to “manage Libyan revenues in a way characterized by reasonable efficiency, and to resist corruption that undermines the legitimacy of any government that embraces it. As this undermines public confidence in any country in which corruption becomes an essential factor in the daily life of consumers and companies alike.”
He indicated that Washington seeks to “urge Libyan leaders to cooperate with the United Nations to achieve a unified political process leading to elections by the end of this year.”
Notably, US President, Joe Biden has recently submitted to Congress 10-Year Plans aimed at implementing US strategies to prevent conflict and promote stability across six nations, including Libya, according to a statement issued by the White House on Friday.
The plan orients US efforts toward the ultimate long-term political goal that Libya is “governed by a democratically elected, unified, representative, and internationally recognized authority that can ensure human rights, deliver public services, promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, secure its borders, and partner with the United States and international community on shared priorities.”
However, the plan acknowledges the need for an “incremental, tailored, and scalable approach, given the current national-level political uncertainties, and practical limitations for US engagement and assistance within Libya.”
In the near term, the plan focuses on a “grass-roots, localized approach to support citizen-responsive democratic local governance and nascent but promising locally-led reconciliation initiatives.” Southern Libya is the focal point of initial sequenced efforts which incrementally build toward progress in all three major regions of Libya, and ultimately through the critical sub-regions of the Sahel and Coastal West Africa.
The plan will focus over time on creating the necessary conditions to hold democratic elections over the longer term (e.g., citizen engagement, consensus-building, constitutional reform, violence mitigation, and reconciliation efforts). As well as addressing political roadblocks that have obstructed credible elections to date.
The plan will promote inclusion, seeking to increase the participation and representation of women, youths, and other groups traditionally marginalized and underrepresented in Libya’s polity. Fostering more inclusive political and economic processes in Libya will help build the resilience needed for longer-term peace and stability.
