The UN has launched an initiative to resolve the electoral deadlock in Libya by forming a technical committee of local experts. This comes after the collapse of a planned election in December 2021 due to disputes over candidate eligibility. The committee’s objective is to expedite the electoral process and address contentious electoral issues, while the legitimacy of the current government remains in question.
The United Nations has initiated a fresh endeavor to address the deadlock surrounding Libya’s electoral process by convening a technical committee comprising Libyan experts. The acting head of the U.N. Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Stephanie Koury, announced this development in a video statement, emphasizing the committee’s goal of resolving contentious electoral law issues that have stalled the political process since the failed December 2021 elections. The committee aims to expedite the electoral process by proposing guarantees and a definitive timeline for elections.
Since the establishment of the Government of National Unity (GNU) led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah through a U.N.-facilitated agreement in 2021, the legitimacy of the government has been questioned by the parliament. Dbeibah has declared that he will not relinquish power to a new government without the conduct of national elections. Since the 2011 NATO-supported uprising, Libya has endured continuous strife, becoming increasingly divided between eastern and western factions, each controlled by rival administrations.
Despite calls from prominent political players in Libya for elections, public sentiments reveal skepticism regarding their intentions to facilitate a vote that might result in losing their authority. Koury further stated that “UNSMIL will also continue to work to help advance the unification of military and security institutions and, with partners, advancing national reconciliation.”
The ongoing crisis in Libya has its roots in the 2011 uprising that ousted longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi, creating a power vacuum and a struggle for control among various factions. Following years of conflict, a United Nations-led initiative established the Government of National Unity in 2021, aiming to unify the nation and prepare for elections. However, the legitimacy of the GNU has been undermined by political infighting, and the 2021 elections were canceled due to disputes over candidate eligibility, leaving the country in a state of instability.
In summary, the United Nations has taken decisive steps to resolve the electoral impasse in Libya, calling upon local experts to address outstanding issues in electoral laws with the aim of facilitating national elections. As Libya continues to grapple with political fragmentation and a lack of legitimacy in governance, the efficacy of this initiative will be closely monitored by both domestic populations and international stakeholders. The commitment to national reconciliation and the unification of military institutions remains critical for the restoration of peace in Libya.
Original Source: www.investing.com
