Libya’s warring factions agree to form unity government to end deadlock
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Libya’s long-standing political deadlock may finally be coming to an end as the country’s warring factions have agreed to form a unity government and work with the United Nations to pave the way for elections. The breakthrough came after talks were held in Bouznika, a town near the Moroccan capital of Rabat, between two rival legislative bodies: the High Council of State, based in Tripoli in the west, and the House of Representatives, which operates out of Benghazi in eastern Libya.
The discussions centered on efforts to overcome the political gridlock that has plagued the country since the fall of Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. After a NATO-backed uprising toppled the longtime dictator, Libya descended into chaos, splitting into rival factions backed by militias and foreign powers. The two legislative bodies reached a consensus that included forming a national unity government and initiating reforms to improve Libya’s political, financial, and security institutions.
A key aspect of the plan involves the United Nations’ political mission in Libya, known as UNSMIL. Stephanie Koury, the U.N. deputy special envoy for Libya, informed the U.N. Security Council that the first step would be to establish an advisory committee. This committee, made up of respected experts from various political, social, and geographic backgrounds, will be tasked with finding solutions to outstanding electoral issues and creating a road map for holding national elections. However, Koury emphasized that the committee would not be a decision-making body but would instead present options for Libyan leaders to act upon.
Libya’s ongoing crisis began after the scheduled elections on December 24, 2021, were postponed, largely due to disagreements over the electoral framework and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who led the transitional government in Tripoli, to step down. In response, the eastern-based parliament appointed a rival prime minister, further escalating the divide. Meanwhile, General Khalifa Haftar, a powerful military figure, has maintained significant influence in the east. The failure to resolve these issues has fueled ongoing instability, with various armed factions vying for control of territory and Libya’s valuable resources.
Koury described the situation as a growing threat to Libya’s unity and territorial integrity, with deepening divisions between political and armed groups. She warned that unless these issues are addressed, the country risks further fragmentation and instability. In the weeks leading up to the talks, Koury had shared the initiative’s framework with key Libyan actors, as well as regional and international partners, and presented UNSMIL’s plan for overcoming the deadlock to the Libyan people.
The plan focuses on four primary goals: ensuring stability, promoting “Libyan ownership” of the process, strengthening Libyan institutions, and fostering inclusivity by bringing together diverse political forces and cultural groups. These objectives aim to build a broad, unified consensus around the need for national elections and create a framework that can move the country toward a more stable future.
The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, echoed Koury’s concerns, urging that a new political process is essential to prevent Libya from slipping further into division and violence. “We continue to believe the U.N. is the best-placed international actor to lead that process,” Thomas-Greenfield stated. She called on the international community to support U.N.-led efforts to bring about a resolution.
At the U.N. Security Council, Libya’s Ambassador, Taher El-Sonni, representing the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, criticized the international community for repeatedly offering plans with minor changes that fail to resolve the situation. He called for a national dialogue that would allow for a broader consensus on elections, addressing the political divisions that have led to years of deadlock. El-Sonni emphasized that such dialogue is crucial to creating electoral laws that are both achievable and implementable.
As the two factions move forward with the U.N.-mediated process, the success of their negotiations will depend on the ability to overcome political divisions and forge a path toward stability. The country’s future hinges on resolving the deep-rooted issues that have fractured its political landscape and restoring a sense of unity and governance. While challenges remain, the agreement to form a unity government represents a significant step toward resolving Libya’s ongoing crisis and bringing an end to years of political paralysis.
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