Since his briefing Over the past month, Mr Bathily has continued to work to advance the political process and revitalize the election campaign.
He told ambassadors in Türkiye, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Tunisia that he had sought coordinated support for the UN mission,UNSMILto help political leaders heal their differences and resolve the legitimacy crisis of institutions aimed at democratizing the divided nation.
“I have reiterated that the first important step towards legitimacy, security and sustainable stability is to give the 2.8 million Libyans registered to vote the opportunity to cast their vote and the future leaders of theirs country freely to usher in a new era for Libya, its neighbors and the region”, said the senior UN official who heads UNSMIL.
He expressed his gratitude for the UN’s support in resuming the intra-Libyan dialogue and briefed the ambassadors on plans to hold talks with other international partners in the coming weeks.
Put Libya first
Mr Bathily has called on the House of Representatives (HoR) and the High Council of State (HSC) to “rise above personal interests and group interests” to work within a clearly defined timeframe and in finalizing the constitutional basis for elections in the aspirations of the Libyan correspond to the people.
He is working with the leaders of the HoR and HSC to convene a meeting on Libyan soil to announce a new round of political talks that would “show all Libyans their willingness to find a way out of the crisis.”
He said he was also in contact with the Presidential Council to facilitate a meeting between the three institutions to set “a positive example” of “healing the wounds of division”.
“I have also underscored my willingness to work with all stakeholders to achieve consensus on a Libyan-owned and Libyan-led political process” that can lift the faction-divided nation from over 10 years of political turmoil, “and economic and… social hardship is increasing for the majority of its population,” Mr. Bathily continued, imploring Council members to support UNSMIL in the reconciliation process.
Worrying Developments
On the eve of the one-year anniversary since the United Nations-backed elections were postponed in December, the UN envoy recalled that the ongoing crisis is seriously affecting the well-being of Libyans, endangering national security and “threatening their very existence”.
“It also carries a serious risk of further dividing the country and its institutions,” he said, citing signs of division with two parallel governments, separate security apparatuses, a divided central bank and growing dissatisfaction with the unequal distribution of the vast revenues from oil and gas gas of the country.
meeting for progress
Unlike its political counterparts, the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) – made up of representatives of the UN-recognized government and key opposition forces – has shown a stronger will to implement the ceasefire agreement and unite the country’s security institutions, it said the statement Mr Bathily.
Despite a reported build-up of forces on both sides, the ceasefire is still holding, albeit amid tensions across the country.
Serious security hurdles
A strong civil society is fundamental to safe, open and democratic discourse – UN envoy
Meanwhile, the proliferation of arms under the control of various state and non-state actors, along with foreign fighters and mercenaries, continues to pose a serious security challenge to Libyans and undermine efforts to unify security institutions.
“This year alone, 39 people have been killed and maimed in Explosive Remnants of War incidents, including 11 children. About 76 percent of those affected were civilians,” the special representative said.
He drew attention to “a systematic campaign” by the Libyan security forces to silence civil society, humanitarian actors, human rights defenders and political activists.
“I am convinced that a robust civil society is fundamental to safe, open and democratic discourse between the state and its citizens and is the very foundation needed for Libya’s political transition,” he said.
On the economy, he reiterated the urgency of establishing a Libyan-led mechanism with nationwide representation to agree on spending priorities and ensure oil and gas revenues are managed in a transparent and equitable manner.
He called on the Council to put pressure on Libyan political leaders to complete the road to a new constitution, warning that people’s patience “is not limitless” and that their suffering under outdated and open-ended transitional political arrangements must be alleviated .
He also urged creative ways to ensure free and transparent presidential and parliamentary elections under a unified, neutral administration.
“Together we must resolve to help the Libyans mark 2023 as the year of the dawn of a new era through the rise of legitimate institutions through free and fair elections,” the UNSMIL chief concluded.
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