Misbah Douma, the Deputy Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, expressed his scepticism regarding the possibility of the United Nations Security Council imposing sanctions on those obstructing the electoral process.
Douma attributed this doubt to the fact that no officials have faced sanctions following the postponement of elections, which were originally scheduled for 24 December 2021.
“These are mere statements from the international community, as they are not serious about conducting elections in Libya,” he stated.
Furthermore, Douma criticized the opposition expressed by the United Nations Mission (UNSMIL) to the electoral laws issued by the 6+6 Joint Committee, which emerged from the Parliament and the High Council of State (HCS).
He stressed that “international disputes have had a negative impact on Libya’s situation, hindering the progress of elections and impeding political and security stability. Everyone in Libya wants elections, and we are moving forward in issuing electoral laws. There will be no obstacles unless the international community opposes holding elections.”
He also emphasized that the Cairo Declaration and legal obstacles, as expressed by the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), were the reasons behind the previous election delays.
On Monday, the Security Council raised alarms over the escalating violence in Tripoli, Libya, emphasizing the vulnerability of the security situation.
It further highlighted the importance of advancing both political and security initiatives in the nation.
The Security Council, supporting a UN-orchestrated political dialogue grounded in the 6+6 Committee, aspires to establish a practical electoral strategy. They’ve called on the global community to wholly back the UN Envoy, Abdoulaye Bathily, and his mission to realize their diplomatic mandate.
In addition, the Council urged Libyan stakeholders to “amplify their endeavours to ratify a political consensus for imminent Presidential and Parliamentary elections.” Furthermore, they are advocating for open dialogue, transparency, and a sense of unity with Bathily.
It also underscored the necessity for all factions to eschew violence and prevent its escalation. This is vital for safeguarding civilians and upholding the security milestones achieved in previous years. They also spotlighted the continued relevance of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) discussions.
In a stern warning, the UNSC declared that “those individuals or groups jeopardizing peace, stability, or interfering with the electoral process will face sanctions orchestrated by the Security Council.”