UNSMIL has established an advisory committee to propose solutions for Libya’s stalled national elections, following the collapse of the December 2021 electoral process. With ongoing political instability since 2011 and skepticism from the public regarding their leaders’ intentions, the committee aims to address significant issues to enable future elections.
On Tuesday, the United Nations Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announced the formation of an advisory committee tasked with addressing contentious issues that have obstructed the organization of long-awaited national elections. This initiative follows a political process that has been stalled since the collapse of the scheduled elections in December 2021, due to disputes regarding the eligibility of leading candidates.
Since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising, Libya has experienced ongoing instability, further exacerbated by a split in governance between eastern and western factions that occurred in 2014. An advisory committee consisting of 13 men and seven women has been assembled, with their inaugural meeting set to take place next week in Tripoli. The committee aims to create proposals designed to resolve significant electoral issues.
The UNSMIL outlined the committee’s role in developing technically sound and politically viable proposals necessary for facilitating elections. It emphasized that this committee would not serve as a decision-making body or a dialogue forum and would operate within a limited timeframe. Members were selected based on their expertise in legal, constitutional, and electoral matters, as well as their ability to negotiate effectively.
The Government of National Unity (GNU), led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, was established through a UN-backed process in 2021 but faces a legitimacy crisis as it is not recognized by the Benghazi-based House of Representatives (HoR). Al-Dbeibah has publicly stated his intention to remain in power until national elections are conducted, yet skepticism remains among Libyans regarding the true commitment of their leaders to initiate elections.
Libyans have expressed concerns regarding the detrimental impact of political divisions on the country’s stability and sovereignty. The HoR, elected in 2014, contrasts with the High State Council in Tripoli that emerged from a 2015 political agreement based on a previous parliamentary election in 2012. Recently, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Hanna Serwaa Tetteh of Ghana as UNSMIL’s new head, succeeding Abdoulaye Bathily of Senegal.
The formation of the advisory committee by UNSMIL is a strategic step to address the persistent obstacles in Libya’s electoral process. Since the 2011 uprising, Libya has been grappling with political instability characterized by competing factions. The failure of the 2021 elections due to contested candidacy eligibility highlights the urgency of resolving these political disputes. This committee seeks to pave the way for stable governance through credible electoral reforms.
In conclusion, the establishment of the advisory committee by UNSMIL is a crucial development in Libya’s quest for political stability and the organization of national elections. As it undertakes the task of proposing solutions to the electoral impasse, the challenges of political legitimacy and the lack of trust among the population remain significant hurdles. The success of this initiative will depend on the commitment of political leaders to engage constructively in the electoral process.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
