On Sunday, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating dialogue among Libya’s rival parties.
In a significant statement issued on Libya’s Independence Day, coinciding with the second anniversary of the stalled general elections, UNSMIL expressed sincere congratulations to the Libyan people, and acknowledged the registration of over 2.8 million voters for the elections. This remains a pivotal moment for a nation striving to emerge from over a decade of turmoil, and seeking to renew the legitimacy of its state institutions and chart a course towards enduring peace, stability, and sustainable development.
Reflecting on the past two years, UNSMIL noted that the process of organizing the elections has been marred by continuous negotiations, delays, and scepticism regarding the intentions behind these actions. This observation comes despite repeated calls from the United Nations Security Council for progress toward a viable compromise, most recently through Resolution 2702.
The UN Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily played a critical role in this context. He has extended invitations to the heads of Libya’s principal institutions, including the Presidential Council, Parliament, High Council of State (HCS), Government of National Unity (GNU), and the Libyan National Army (LNA). This is to engage these key stakeholders in sincere discussions, to resolve the outstanding issues that have hindered progress toward the elections.
UNSMIL’s statement highlighted a crucial point: the mere existence of laws is insufficient for the successful conduct of elections. The elections can only take place when all Libyan factions are genuinely committed to establishing the necessary conditions for their execution.
The mission also stressed its commitment to facilitating meaningful dialogue. However, it underscored that the “primary responsibility falls on the Libyan parties themselves. They must show complete dedication to achieving national unity, peace, and security.”
This commitment involves actively participating in initiatives led by Bathily, and prioritizing the needs of the Libyan people over factional interests. It also includes promptly appointing representatives for preparatory meetings, agreeing on a clear electoral roadmap with a defined timeline, and reaching a consensus on forming a new unified government to guide Libya toward elections.
Moreover, UNSMIL called on Libyan political parties, civil society, women, youth, tribal elders, and military and security agencies to “rally their efforts and urge leaders of key institutions to fulfil their duties towards Libya.” The statement further emphasized the need for “unified international support in words and actions, urging Libyan parties to choose peace, unity, and democracy. Regional actors are also encouraged to contribute positively and support efforts towards national reconciliatory solutions.”