The United Nations Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily is striving to break the longstanding political deadlock in the country. Despite initiating a five-party dialogue among key leaders, his efforts have been met with limited success, highlighting the entrenched divisions within Libya’s political landscape.
Bathily, since taking office in October 2022, has concentrated on facilitating dialogue between influential Libyan figures, including the Head of the Presidential Council Mohamed Al-Mnifi, Parliament Speaker Ageela Saleh, the Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, Chairman of the High Council of State (HCS) Mohamed Takala, and the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba.
This initiative, however, has not garnered the necessary support, reflecting the deep-rooted political fragmentation in Libya.
Bathily’s diplomatic engagements with ambassadors from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Egypt, and the European Union underscored the urgency for a cohesive strategy to address the crisis. These discussions emphasised the need for Libyan leaders to engage in dialogue to break the political impasse, pave the way for elections, and foster peace and stability.
The resistance to Bathily’s initiative underscores the complexities of Libyan politics, where various factions control different aspects of the nation’s power and wealth. This situation is compounded by Libya’s strategic importance, its oil reserves, and its role in North African and Mediterranean geopolitics. The ongoing conflict in Libya not only hinders the country’s development, but also poses risks of extremism and impacts migration in the region.
The role of the UN in Libya, particularly through Bathily’s efforts, remains vital. However, the success of any peace initiative depends on the willingness of Libyan leaders to set aside factional interests, in favour of national unity. This remains a daunting challenge, given the current political divisions, and competing interests within the country.
As the UN Envoy continues his efforts, the international community watches closely, hoping for a breakthrough that can bring long-lasting peace and stability to Libya. The journey is fraught with challenges, but the necessity for reconciliation and a united Libya is more critical than ever.