The U.N. envoy for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, has resigned after 18 months in the position, citing frustration with the feuding parties and their foreign backers in the country. He had been working to resolve contested issues over electoral laws and form a unified government to lead Libya to long-delayed elections, but faced stubborn resistance and indifference to the interests of the Libyan people. Bathily warned that these entrenched positions, combined with a divided regional and global landscape, could lead to further instability and insecurity in the region. He accused foreign actors of undermining U.N. efforts in Libya, making it a battleground for geopolitical, political, and economic interests.
The current political crisis in Libya stems from the failure to hold elections on Dec. 24, 2021, and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah to step down. The country is divided with rival administrations in the east and west backed by rogue militias and foreign governments. Powerful military commander Khalifa Hifter continues to hold sway in the east, supported by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia, while the Tripoli-based militias receive backing from Turkey, Qatar, and Italy. The chaos in Libya has made it a major route for African migrants and human smugglers, and extremist groups pose a threat along the country’s borders.
Bathily highlighted two major factors that have contributed to the deteriorating situation in Libya over the last month. Firstly, there is a lack of political will and good faith among the major Libyan actors who are comfortable with the current stalemate that has persisted since 2011. Secondly, there is a scramble for Libya’s territory by foreign actors and armed groups, turning the country into a battleground. Bathily emphasized the need for unity among the international community to resolve the crisis, calling on the Security Council to compel Libyan and regional stakeholders to support the U.N.’s efforts for political dialogue.
The U.N. envoy criticized unilateral, parallel, and uncoordinated initiatives by key political players in Libya and foreign actors, which complicate the situation and hinder progress towards a unified government. He stressed the importance of the Security Council demonstrating unity and compelling national leaders and their foreign backers to allow the Libyan people the opportunity to chart a new course through elections. Bathily believes that Libya has the resources to be prosperous, stable, and peaceful without external intervention, and that a unified international commitment is essential for peace and stability in the region.
Bathily emphasized the critical role of peace and stability in Libya for the wider region, particularly the neighboring western Sahel. He called for renewed and coordinated commitment among regional and international actors to address the crisis in Libya and prevent further instability in the region. The U.N. envoy’s resignation underscores the challenges facing the country and the urgency of finding a resolution to the political crisis through united international efforts.
