On Monday, the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Bankole Adeoye, announced a renewed AU commitment to work more closely with the United Nations in Libya.
Following an in-depth meeting with UN Special Representative Hanna Tetteh, head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Adeoye affirmed that both organizations would intensify their joint efforts to support political progress and national reconciliation in the country.
In a statement shared on his official X account, Adeoye said the talks focused on Libya’s current political and security landscape, its broader regional implications, and the shared interest in moving the country toward lasting peace.
He emphasized the need for greater AU-UN engagement with all relevant Libyan and international actors in order to advance inclusive dialogue, encourage a return to constitutional governance, and lay the groundwork for credible national elections.
The AU’s renewed focus on Libya comes amid growing concerns that the country’s prolonged transitional period and fragmented political institutions continue to threaten both domestic stability and wider regional security. Libya’s internal divisions have spilled across its borders, contributing to the spread of arms, the trafficking of migrants, and insecurity in the Sahel region.
Adeoye’s statement also signals a shift toward deeper African involvement in resolving Libya’s conflict. The African Union has often expressed frustration with being sidelined in international mediation efforts, despite Libya being a crisis within the continent’s own borders.
With national elections still elusive and political negotiations often stalled, the international community is under increasing pressure to support a unified process. Adeoye noted that the African Union remains committed to Libya’s sovereignty and the aspirations of its people for peace and democratic governance.
