The UN envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily said that the Libyan leaders don’t want to hold the postponed Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
In an interview with the French magazine “Jeune Afrique,” Bathily pointed out that external interventions in Libya are a “fait accompli.”
He emphasised that the pretext of foreign interference, “serves as a convenient way for Libyan officials to conceal their failures. Most leaders are not interested in elections and the return of stability; their focus is on unexpected gains from oil and ensuring continued access to a share of this resource.”
Bathily noted that the conflict that erupted on 7 October, between Hamas and Israel has further complicated his already challenging mission.
He added that his plan to remove armed groups from Sudan, Chad, and Niger from Libyan territory “became more complicated after the outbreak of the Sudan clashes.”
The UN Envoy stressed the need for elections, to establish a unified authority, a President, and a renewed Parliamentary mandate.
He warned that without these steps, the country would move towards further fragmentation.
Earlier this month, the Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, Ageela Saleh and Bathily held pivotal talks on Libya’s pressing need for political stabilization, through expedited elections.
In a statement, the Parliament Spokesman, Abdullah Blaiheg said that they discussed the latest developments in the political situation in the country. This is in addition to the formation of a unified government, that would oversee the holding of elections. He said they had agreed to “take the necessary measures to hold elections in the near future.”
The consensus reached could potentially dismantle the political deadlock, paving the way for a democratic transition that Libya has been yearning for since 2011.
This development comes as a beacon of hope to a nation marred by factional conflicts, and political fragmentation. The commitment to an imminent electoral process by Libyan leaders, and international mediators alike is a testament to the collaborative efforts to restore sovereignty and order in Libya.