The ongoing political division and delays in national elections in Libya were critically highlighted during a recent United Nations Security Council briefing. Hanna Tetteh, head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), emphasized the failure of Libyan political leaders to fulfill objectives outlined in the 2025 roadmap designed to guide Libya towards national unity and democratic elections. This roadmap, which seeks to bridge the divide between the UN-recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) and the rival Government of National Stability (GNS), remains largely disregarded as the country continues its decade-long political impasse since the NATO intervention and the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Tetteh called for urgent implementation of the roadmap to meet the aspirations of the Libyan populace regarding political participation and the organization of elections. Her recommendations focused on “structured dialogue,” highlighting security, governance, economic reform, and national reconciliation as vital elements for bolstering state institutions and potentially paving the way for national elections. Despite the absence of ceasefire violations since 2020, Tetteh pointed out the fragile security situation marked by clashes between armed groups and criminal networks vying for territorial control.
The Security Council meeting shed light on Libya’s economic and security challenges, citing currency depreciation, soaring prices, and fuel shortages. The lack of effective governance, attributed to weak institutional frameworks and insufficient national policies, exacerbates fiscal instability and hinders the execution of civil projects. Moreover, the instability has allowed criminal activities to proliferate, turning Libya into a transit hub for migrants and a hotspot for human rights violations. In February 2025, authorities uncovered mass graves linked to human trafficking, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
According to a detailed account in JURIST, Tetteh reaffirmed UNSMIL’s commitment to supporting Libya in achieving roadmap objectives and urged the Security Council to maintain its support. The calls to action come amidst mounting international concerns over renewed clashes in densely populated areas, threatening civilian lives and homes, as reported in July 2025. As the conflict lingers, efforts to unify Libya and hold overdue national elections remain thwarted.
The security environment, while stable in terms of the ceasefire, continues to suffer from unresolved conflicts and risks related to criminal elements. This scenario calls for heightened international cooperation and concerted efforts from Libyan authorities to enable a transition towards sustained peace and democracy.