• News by AUN News correspondent
• Tuesday, October 25, 2022.
• AUN News – ISSN: 2949-8090

Summary:

• In his first briefing to the Security Council on Monday, the head of the UN Mission there, UNSMIL, stated that the political impasse in Libya is still there and that the chances of elections are slim.

• He declared that the success of the parliamentary and presidential elections is crucial to this process.

• The long-awaited elections in December 2021 were made possible by establishing a truce mediated by the UN in October 2020.

• “I stressed to all my interlocutors that the solution to the crisis must come from inside Libya, based on the will of the Libyan people,” he told the Council. “

• According to him, crimes against immigrants and those seeking refuge “continue with impunity,” and “arbitrary detention persists as a routine practice.

In his first briefing to the Security Council on Monday, the head of the UN Mission there, UNSMIL, stated that the political impasse in Libya is still there and that the chances of elections are slim.

To resolve these issues, Special Representative Abdoulaye Bathily has prioritised talks with political, institutional, security, and civil society officials since his arrival in the nation this month.

The predicament in Libya necessitates a process of consensual state re-legitimation. On the foundation of sincere political intent, legitimate institutions must be built to meet the populace’s requirements. He declared that the success of the parliamentary and presidential elections is crucial to this process.

Violence and impasse

Following the fall and death of the previous leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been split between two hostile governments for more than ten years.

The competing Libyan National Army (LNA) rules the east, while the Government of National Accord (GNA) is headquartered in Tripoli, the country’s capital, in the west.

The long-awaited elections in December 2021 were made possible by establishing a truce mediated by the UN in October 2020. However, the elections were postponed because of disagreements regarding the election’s legal foundation.

In August last year, Tripoli was shaken by violent skirmishes between the two factions. The situation began in March when the eastern parliament chose a new administration, but the UN and the Prime Minister, supported internationally, refused to resign.

With no end in sight

Mr Bathily informed the Council that “the political standoff persists with no obvious resolution to the ongoing stalemate over the executive.”

“Furthermore, efforts to address the outstanding issues related to the constitutional basis for elections do not appear to result in concrete action by the relevant actors, further delaying prospects for the holding of inclusive, free, and fair elections intended to end the transition and restore the legitimacy of institutions,” the report continued.

Could you pay attention to what they have to say?

Consultations are being held by the UN representative “to create a response to these difficult political challenges.” However, there are still significant disparities in Libyans’ ideas about how to resolve the crisis.

“I stressed to all my interlocutors that the solution to the crisis must come from inside Libya, based on the will of the Libyan people,” he told the Council. “This is in response to the near-unanimous condemnation across the spectrum of the presence of mercenaries, foreign fighters, and foreign forces in Libya and the ongoing foreign interference in the country’s affairs.

“Hear the people’s wish for peace, stability, economic progress, and responsive leadership,” Mr. Bathily pleaded with Libyan officials.

Inaction affecting security

Although the truce is still in effect, the political deadlock has negatively hindered security-related action.

The bloody conflicts in Tripoli changed the balance of power, heightened tensions, and produced a shaky equilibrium.

Despite a noticeable decline in armed group mobilisation and hostilities between them, he noted, continuous, widespread recruitment efforts are indicated.

The 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC), which brings representatives from the two sides, will convene in Sirte next week to explore initiatives to speed up the ceasefire implementation, according to Mr. Bathily.

Talk about human rights

Regarding human rights, the ambassador expressed disappointment that the situation in the nation continues to be worrisome.

According to him, crimes against immigrants and those seeking refuge “continue with impunity,” and “arbitrary detention persists as a routine practice.”

To address the desperate circumstances of migrants and refugees and break up trafficking and criminal networks, Mr. Bathily urged the government to act immediately.

According to the Libyan authorities, as of October 1st, 55 women and roughly 11,000 other inmates were incarcerated in judicial police-run facilities.

No justice served

Additionally, there are around 6,000 persons in pre-trial detention, including 135 minors and 113 women. These figures show an overall 40% increase since August.

“A third of the entire jail population, or those in pre-trial custody, are being held without access to justice. The official continued that these figures do not include the 3,243 migrants who are incarcerated against their will in government-run detention facilities.

According to Mr. Bathily, the Libyan government should ensure that those detained on solid evidence receive fair treatment and due process. He also demanded the unconditional, immediate release of everyone held against their will.

It is distributed by APO Group on behalf of the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG).