Four newly appointed members of Libya’s Supreme Constitutional Court were sworn in on Sunday before the House of Representatives in Benghazi. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Second Deputy Parliament Speaker and several MPs, marking a significant step in a politically contentious judicial process.
The judges taking the oath included: Al-Naji Salem Issa, Omar Salem Idris, Kamal Al-Ajeeli Al-Bahri, and Ibrahim Ashour Ali Al-Ajeeli. Their appointments were officially announced by Parliament Spokesperson Abdullah Bliheg.
This development follows a legal and constitutional controversy. In April, the House of Representatives had passed a law establishing the Supreme Constitutional Court. However, Presidential Council head Mohamed Al-Menfi later issued a decree nullifying that law. His action was based on a ruling from the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, which found the law unconstitutional.
Al-Menfi’s decree was met with opposition from Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh, intensifying the power struggle between Libya’s eastern-based legislature and the Tripoli-based executive authorities.
Despite this tension, Parliament proceeded with installing the justices, reflecting its commitment to implementing its April legislation. The ceremony took place at the Parliament headquarters in Benghazi and was attended by MPs Mohamed Hammad, Talal Al-Mihoub, and Mohamed Ajdeed.
The constitutional court’s formation is a pivotal issue amid Libya’s ongoing political fragmentation. Disputes between the country’s rival institutions have repeatedly stalled the unification of its legal framework, electoral process, and governance.
It remains unclear how the Tripoli-based judiciary and executive will respond to the swearing-in, especially given the court’s potential to arbitrate future political and constitutional conflicts.
