Misbaha Douma, the Second Deputy Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives, has criticised the international community and Stephanie Khoury, the acting head of the UN mission in Libya, for interfering with Libyan sovereignty. Duma alleges that the international community develops projects without Libyan involvement and accuses Khoury of seeking to prolong the political crisis in Libya to secure her position.
Douma argues that these actions reflect an intrusion into the will of the Libyan people, and he expresses concern over the ongoing external influence which he believes undermines Libya’s autonomy.
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.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
