UN envoy concerned over Libya’s stalled transitional process

The United Nations envoy to Libya warned that further instability awaits if rival factions are unable to come to an agreement over the implementation of a UN-backed transitional roadmap, according to The National on October 14^th.

Hanna Tetteh, who is the UN Special Representative for Libya and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), told the Security Council on October 14^th that the nation “cannot afford continued delays” in proceeding with the plan.

The roadmap, which was first announced on June 24^th, seeks to wrap up a protracted and frequently derailed transitional process towards democratic elections through “an inclusive Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process.”

It is composed of three core objectives: establishing a credible and transparent electoral framework, forming a single unified government, and providing a platform for dialogue that engages all dimensions of Libyan society, according to the Atlantic Council on September 8^th.

During the October 14^th Security Council Session, Tetteh urged rival Libyan factions “to engage constructively in their efforts to ensure that the first steps in the road map are completed.”

She explained that “the first milestone of the roadmap is the reconstitution of the full Board of Commissioners of the High National Elections Commission.” The process is to be undertaken via joint appointment of vacant positions by the House of Representatives (HoR) and the High Council of State (HCS), according to Asharq Al-Aswat on October 15^th.

However, she stated that different visions for the means through which the posts will be filled have emerged, fragmenting the process at the very first hurdle. “As of today, unfortunately the two institutions have yet to achieve this objective.”

Tetteh also warned that if the HoR and HCS are unable to promptly reach a consensus on the matter, then UNSMIL will be forced to adopt a different approach, further prolonging an already painfully drawn-out transitional process.