Thursday 25 Apr 2024 @ 14:20
Chatham House
Printable version

As yet another UN Libya envoy quits, his successor must be bolder

EXPERT COMMENT

To break through Libya’s political stalemate, the UN must be willing to pursue a bolder strategy, despite the risks of failure.

UN Special Representative to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily has resigned after 18 months in post, leaving behind a political process best described as moribund.

Most international policymakers seem to believe Libyan rivals must initiate the deal to break the current impasse. The UN has taken the view that progress is not possible without the approval of key powerbrokers and their international backers.

On the other hand, many Libyan actors believe the only realistic chance of breaking the status quo is through an internationally mandated process. After all, the last two ‘unity’ governments have been created through UN mediation – in 2015-16 and 2020-21 respectively – while an attempt to produce a government through Libyan institutions alone has served only to produce a parallel government and reintroduce administrative division.

The reality is that both Libyan and international buy-in is required to broker change. Despite the mounting challenges faced, the next UN special representative will still be best placed to secure this.

Click here to continue reading the full version of this Expert Comment on the Chatham House website.

 

Channel website: https://www.chathamhouse.org/

Original article link: https://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/04/yet-another-un-libya-envoy-quits-his-successor-must-be-bolder

Share this article
RESEARCH EXPERTS EVENTS MEMBERSHIP ACADEMY ABOUT

 

Latest News from
Chatham House

Russian disruption in Europe points to patterns of future aggression

03/05/2024 14:20:00

The case of Britons allegedly working for Russian intelligence is just one example of how Moscow is actively disrupting normal life in Europe and the Baltic region.

Confiscating sanctioned Russian state assets should be the last resort

02/05/2024 15:10:00

The G7 must weigh the benefits of confiscation against potentially large but uncertain costs.

Confiscation of immobilized Russian state assets is moral and vital

02/05/2024 11:25:00

The $300 billion of immobilized assets can only partly address the cost of Ukraine’s survival and reconstruction. There should be no qualms about confiscating it.

The UK defence budget increase is welcome but defers tough choices

30/04/2024 13:10:00

The government will need to be clearer on how the spending increase will be funded and where the UK will direct its focus.

The US aid package to Ukraine will help. But a better strategy is urgently needed

26/04/2024 10:10:10

The essential aid package will allow Kyiv to slow down Russian forces. But the delay had a real cost for Ukraine, and a secure long-term funding model is required.

The Baltic Sea is far from a ‘NATO lake’ – the alliance must strengthen its defences

23/04/2024 14:10:00

Alliance countries need better understanding of the risks to their undersea infrastructure, and improved signalling to deter Russian sabotage and hybrid attacks.

Iran–Israel exchanges are a test for China’s influence in the Gulf

22/04/2024 16:10:00

Beijing’s diplomatic activism shows it is worried Iran–Israel tit-for-tat may undermine Saudi–Iran reconciliation.

Simplicity is the key to closing the climate finance gap

22/04/2024 12:20:00

Conventional, publicly capitalized financial instruments are the only way to mobilize private finance on a very large scale.

A new European Court of Human Rights ruling has established a vital new precedent

18/04/2024 13:10:00

The judgement shows litigation can be used to hold governments to account on their climate ambitions – but much will depend on policy outcomes.

Derby City Council Showcase