The United Nations has launched a new committee of Libya experts to tackle electoral issues and aim for national elections. This initiative follows the collapse of planned elections in December 2021. The acting head of UNSMIL stated that the committee will seek to resolve legal challenges and establish a timeline for elections. Amid ongoing conflict and skepticism from the Libyan people, the U.N. continues to urge political unity and reconciliation.
The United Nations has initiated a renewed effort to resolve the persistent electoral deadlock in Libya by assembling a technical committee of experts. This decision was articulated by the acting head of the U.N. Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Stephanie Koury, in a recent video address. The committee’s mandate includes addressing critical issues regarding electoral legislation and exploring solutions to facilitate timely national elections, which have been stalled since the failure of the December 2021 elections due to controversies surrounding candidate eligibility.
The backdrop to this political impasse is the ongoing conflict in Libya, which has been exacerbated since the NATO-supported uprising in 2011, resulting in a fragmented governance between eastern and western factions. The current Government of National Unity (GNU), established with U.N. backing under Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, faces challenges to its legitimacy as the parliament no longer acknowledges its authority. Dbeibah has publicly stated his refusal to relinquish power without conducting national elections, although skepticism remains among the Libyan populace regarding the genuine intentions of political leaders towards this electoral process.
Libya has been embroiled in conflict for over a decade, primarily stemming from the aftermath of the 2011 uprising that ousted long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi. The political landscape is characterized by divisions between rival factions controlling different regions of the country. In 2021, an interim government known as the Government of National Unity was formed under U.N. auspices, aiming to unify the country and oversee elections. However, ongoing disputes about the legitimacy of this government and its electoral processes have stalled progress towards holding a national vote. The U.N. continues to play a crucial role in facilitating dialogue and reconciliation efforts among Libya’s competing political entities.
The newly established U.N. committee represents a significant step towards addressing the long-standing electoral challenges in Libya. By focusing on electoral laws and devising strategies for swift elections, the committee aims to navigate the complexities of Libyan politics. While the path to national unity remains fraught with skepticism and obstacles, the commitment to advance military unification and national reconciliation reflects a broader effort to restore stability in the region.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
