The African Union Commission has expressed strong support for the new UN roadmap for Libya, presented last week by UN Special Representative and UNSMIL head Hanna Tetteh to the UN Security Council.
In a statement, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said the plan offers a realistic path to resolve Libya’s protracted crisis. He emphasized that the roadmap seeks to unify institutions, organize long-delayed presidential and parliamentary elections, and launch a structured national dialogue to address the country’s divisions.
Youssouf urged all Libyan stakeholders to fully and sincerely engage in the process, stressing that only a genuine national dialogue and reconciliation can produce a peaceful solution to the conflict. He highlighted that coordination between regional, continental, and international actors is essential to secure the political backing needed to ensure the roadmap’s success.
“The African Union stands ready to fulfill its responsibilities in supporting Libyans as they work to silence the guns, achieve lasting peace, and restore stability,” Youssouf declared. He reaffirmed that the AU would remain an active partner in accompanying Libya through this transition.
The AU’s endorsement adds to the growing international momentum behind the UN initiative, which has been met with cautious optimism among Libyan factions and international partners.
The roadmap is built on three main pillars: creating a credible constitutional and legal framework for elections, forming a unified government with a clear mandate, and holding an inclusive dialogue that involves political actors, civil society, youth, and women.
The UN has made clear that the plan aims to break the cycle of transition periods that have plagued Libya since 2011 and lay the groundwork for a legitimate government chosen through the ballot box. The AU’s backing signals regional recognition that Libya’s instability poses a wider threat to North Africa and the Sahel, and that collective support is critical.
