Thursday, 15 June, marked the deadline set by the United Nations Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, for the Libyan Parliament, and the High Council of State (HCS) to establish a comprehensive roadmap for the upcoming elections scheduled this year.
Bathily, in a press conference held in Tripoli back in March, underscored the importance of this deadline for both councils. He indicated that they would be held accountable by the Libyan people, and the international community if they fail to reach an agreement on the roadmap.
He indicated that they would “need to resort to an alternative procedure,” demonstrating his non-acceptance of any activities aimed at disrupting the electoral process.
The 6+6 Joint Committee had earlier announced an agreement made in Bouznika, Morocco. Despite this, the consensus has not been accepted by all members of the two councils. Observations by the High National Election Commission (HNEC) have also raised several concerns, and the agreement is still awaiting formal ratification.
The deadline coincides with an anticipated briefing by Bathily at an open session before the UN Security Council on 19 June. During this session, he is expected to present the latest political developments in Libya, and the results of the Joint Committee, according to the Security Council Report website.
Notably, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called on all Libyan actors to engage, in a spirit of compromise, to address all outstanding issues and create a safer and more conducive environment for the holding of elections in 2023.
In a statement issued last week, the Mission urged all players to refrain from delay tactics aimed at prolonging the stalemate, which has caused so much suffering for the people of Libya.
UNSMIL said it has taken note of the outcome of the work of the Joint Committee which met in Bouzniqa, Morocco, from 22 May to 6 June 2023. The meeting was aiming to develop draft electoral laws for the presidential and parliamentary elections. The Mission appreciated the efforts made by the Committee and thanked the Moroccan government for hosting the Committee.
UNSMIL reaffirmed its commitment to holding transparent, inclusive, and credible elections to allow the people of Libya to choose their representatives freely and renew the legitimacy of the country’s institutions.
“UNSMIL recognizes that important elements of the electoral laws and associated issues require buy-in and support from a broad range of Libyan institutions, civil society representatives, including women and youth, and political and security actors, to allow inclusive, credible and successful elections to take place,” the statement said.
For his part, Moroccan Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita announced that the Committee has reached a consensus on the laws of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
In a press conference held in Morocco, Bourita noted that the final document will be signed in the coming days. “Once again, the Libyan brothers prove that if they are given the opportunity, they can give priority to Libya’s interests, and they can reach important agreements,” he said.
Bourita considered the step an important milestone in the path of the Libyan crisis, explaining that this “dialogue made it possible to reach important consensuses regarding the organization of elections.”
