Outlet: Arab News

Language: English

Abstract: Nearly fifteen years after a supposed "awakening," Libya remains crippled by division, conflict, and self-interested actors masquerading as supporters. The country is trapped between the Government of National Unity in Tripoli and the eastern-based Government of National Stability. Efforts to bridge this divide and hold national elections have been thwarted by contentious electoral laws and amendments. The UN Support Mission in Libya, led by Special Envoy Abdoulaye Bathily, faces continual obstacles in mediating among rival factions and external influencers. Bathily’s resignation, the eighth in thirteen years, highlights the systemic flaws in the UN mission's design and ambition. The mission has been hampered by a limited mandate, fragmented international engagement, and shifting political dynamics. To address these challenges, a reimagined international strategy is essential, focusing on a stronger mandate for the mission, accountability for foreign interference, and a genuinely inclusive political process. Only through a reconfigured approach can the international community hope to achieve a stable, unified Libya.

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