In a recent statement, the Libyan Foreign Minister in the Government-designate, Abdul Hadi al-Hwaij, highlighted the intricate and complex nature of the current situation in Libya. The situation is marked by unprecedented levels of division, polarisation, and fragmentation at all levels.
Al-Hwaij remarked, “Libya has never witnessed such a degree of division and polarisation. The dark decade our people suffered through was significant, and while elections are not a magic wand, they are a crucial tool for realising the will of the Libyan people.”
He pointed out the discordance between the regional and international interests of various powers concerning Libya, leading to the usurpation of Libyan decision-making. This has exacerbated a crisis of trust among Libyans, preventing them from resolving their crisis independently. “We are all losers in a country suffering from pain and sorrow,” he added.
However, al-Hwaij remains optimistic about Libya’s future, asserting that Libyans are capable of solving their problems and unifying their institutions. He emphasised the significance of the upcoming elections, noting, “for the first time since the dark decade, a President will be directly elected by the people, adding a new dimension of strength to the presidency.”
These comments come at a pivotal moment for Libya, as the nation struggles with internal divisions and external influences. The hope is that the direct election of a president will herald a new era of unity and self-determination for the Libyan people.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations, each backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
The current stalemate grew out of the failure to hold elections in December 2021, and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbaiba, who is leading the transitional government, to step down. In response, the country’s eastern-based Parliament appointed a rival Prime Minister, Fathi Bashagha, who has for months sought to install his government in Tripoli.