Special Representative Abdoulaye Bathily arrived in the country this month and is prioritizing consultations with political, institutional, security and civil society representatives to address these challenges.
“The situation in Libya calls for a process of re-legitimizing the Consensus State. Legitimate institutions capable of meeting people’s basic needs must be established on the basis of a genuine political will. In this process, conducting legislative and presidential elections is paramount,” Mr speak.
Deadlock and violence
Libya has been divided between two rival governments for more than a decade, following the overthrow and killing of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The Government of National Accord (GNA) is based in the capital, Tripoli, to the west, while rival Libyan National Army (LNA) controls the east.
The signing of a UN-brokered ceasefire in October 2020 paved the way for the long-awaited December 2021 elections, which had been postponed due to disagreement over the legal basis for the election. vote.
Last August, deadly clashes between the two sides rocked Tripoli. The crisis erupted in March, after the eastern parliament selected a new government, but the UN and the internationally-backed prime minister refused to refuse.
There is no end in the scene
Mr Bathily told the Council: “The political deadlock that persists with no clear end indicates a protracted stalemate for the operators.
“Furthermore, efforts to resolve the remaining backlogs related to the constitutional basis for the elections, which do not appear to have resulted in concrete action by the parties concerned, further delay the implementation of the Constitution. hopes to hold inclusive, free and fair elections to end the transition and restore the legitimacy of institutions. ”
Listen to everyone
The UN special envoy is holding consultations “to design a response to these difficult political challenges”, and significant difference is still how Libyans want to overcome the crisis.
“In response to the almost unanimous condemnation of the presence of mercenaries, foreign fighters and foreign forces in Libya and the incessant foreign interference in the affairs of the country, I emphasize to all interlocutors that the solution to the crisis. must have come from within Libyaon the basis of the will of the Libyan people,” he told the Council.
Bathily called on Libya’s leaders to “listen to the aspirations of the people for peace, stability, economic development and a responsive leadership”.
© UN Photo / Abel Kavangh
View of the main square in Tripoli, Libya.
Deadlock affects security
Meanwhile, although the ceasefire continues to be maintained, the political deadlock has adversely affected action on security.
The violent clashes in Tripoli have caused a shift in the balance of power in the capital, and deepened tensions, leading to a fragile stability.
“Despite the dramatic decline in the mobilization of armed groups and the clashes between them, there are still reports of large-scale recruitment activities taking place,” he reported.
On a positive note, Mr Bathily said the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC), which brings together representatives of the two sides, will meet next week in Sirte to discuss operations to continue continue with the ceasefire.
Addressing human rights
Turning to the issue of human rights, the special envoy regretted that the situation in the country still had many concerns.
Violations against migrants and asylum seekers “continue with impunity” while “arbitrary detention continues as a common practice,” he said.
Mr. Bathily called on the authorities to take immediate measures to address the dire situation of migrants and refugees, and to dismantle criminal and human trafficking networks.
As of October 1, nearly 11,000 people, including 55 women, are serving sentences in prisons run by judicial police, Libyan authorities said.
Justice denied
Furthermore, nearly 6,000 people are in pre-trial detention, including 113 women and 135 juveniles. Overall, these numbers represent a 40% increase since August.
“Many of those in pre-trial detention, representing a third of all prisoners, detained without access to justice. These figures do not include the approximately 3,243 migrants arbitrarily detained in government-run detention centres,” he added.
Mr Bathily said Libyan authorities should ensure due process and a fair trial for those detained on credible charges. He also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained.
