Latest news with #UNSMIL
Zawya
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Community leaders call on United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to support demilitarization of Tripoli
Deputy Special Representative for the Secretary-General and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Aeneas Chuma chaired a meeting with the Tripoli Center Outreach Committee Monday to discuss de-escalation efforts in Tripoli. These leaders, who has contributed to brokering and sustaining the truce since the May crisis, have been pivotal in preventing violence through community engagement. The Mission has facilitated targeted mediation meetings to reinforce their peacebuilding capacities, encourage coordination with official security institutions, and amplify local ownership in sustaining stability. During the same week, UNSMIL's SIS met with notables and community leaders from across the western region as part of ongoing efforts to support local peacebuilding. The meeting followed up on previous engagements and recognized their critical role in sustaining the truce. Participants discussed ways to further contribute to the implementation of local security arrangements and enhance coordination with official institutions. UNSMIL reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive dialogue and community-driven stabilization. 'UNSMIL and IC need to urge all parties to refrain from provocative speech and actions,' one of the notables said. During the meetings, the leaders shared their efforts and presented recommendations for peace initiatives. Participants stressed the need for a disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration program, warning of the risks of military presence in residential areas. "We share the demands of Tripoli's people and aim to demilitarize the capital," stated the participants. UNSMIL expressed its intention to increase collaboration and ensure that local voices continue to shape both local and national peace processes. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
Libya Observer
4 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
UNSMIL launches country-wide youth consultations on political process
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has initiated a series of nationwide consultations aimed at involving young people in the political process, beginning with meetings in four cities. In a statement on its official Facebook page, the UNSMIL highlighted that youth make up 38% of Libya's population, underscoring the importance of their inclusion in shaping the country's political future. As part of a broader initiative, UNSMIL plans to engage 500 young men and women from across Libya over the coming months. The consultations will include both online and in-person with youth representatives, in line with the UNSMIL efforts to incorporate public input into discussions on the recommendations put forth by the advisory committee. News Tagged: UNSMIL libyan youth
Libya Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Herald
Libyan Advisory Committee calls on Libyan stakeholders to work with UNSMIL to build unified, sovereign, and democratic Libya
The UNSMIL created Libyan Advisory Committee has called upon all Libyan stakeholders to work in good faith with UNSMIL to build a unified, sovereign, and democratic Libya. This came after the Committee submitted its final report to UNSMIL on 5 May 2025. UNSMIL is now sharing the options they presented with political actors, the wider spectrum of Libyan society, and regional and international actors for feedback. This feedback will inform the next steps of the UNSMIL-facilitated political process. Why was the Advisory Committee established? It will be recalled that the Committee was established against a backdrop of deepening political division, institutional fragility, deteriorating economic conditions and rising public dissatisfaction with the status quo. Libya's political stalemate is a threat to Libya's national unity and territorial integrity. The absence of legitimate permanent governance structures threatens the legitimacy of all institutions and their credibility. Public frustration is growing, with 2.8 million registered voters still awaiting elections. Political paralysis, resulting in dual government spending and a lack of transparency, accountability and oversight, is destabilizing Libya's economy. The focus of the Advisory Committee The Committee assessed the constitutional and legal framework underpinning Libya's electoral process, including the existing legal framework provided in Constitutional Amendment 13 and Laws 27 and 28 (2023). It sought to identify legal ambiguities, structural deficiencies, and political obstacles to holding national elections. Consultations included discussion with the 6+6 Committee and the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), as well as a review of national and international legal instruments. Key problems and proposed options The Committee identified and proposed options to address key contentious issues in the current electoral framework. 1. Linking parliamentary and presidential elections Problem: The law says parliamentary elections are only valid if presidential elections succeed. Solution: Delink the outcomes and remove the dependency of parliamentary elections on presidential elections. 2. Holding both elections at the same time Problem: Having both elections on one day raises political and logistical issues. Solution: Organize sequential presidential and parliamentary elections within a well-defined time frame. 3. Eligibility criteria All candidates with dual nationality must disclose their status. If they win, after the preliminary count and after exhausting the appeals period, they must provide evidence of starting the process to relinquish the second nationality. If the winning candidate fails to do so, a new presidential election will be called, the results of the parliamentary elections will be announced, and the head of the Senate will temporarily assure the president's prerogatives. If a presidential candidate is under investigation for a crime, they cannot be excluded unless there is a final verdict. Allow military personnel and senior government officials to participate as candidates under conditions regulated by law. 4. Second round requirement Problem: Even if someone wins a majority in the first round of presidential elections, in the current law, a second round of voting is still required. Solution: If a candidate wins more than 50 percent in the first round of voting, a second round isn't necessary for presidential elections. Additional recommendations Increase women's representation to 30 percent in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Ensure fair and proportional representation of cultural groups with at least 15 percent in the Senate. Require national ID numbers for voter registration to safeguard electoral integrity. Reconstitute the High National Elections Commission. Establish robust security protocols to ensure safe and inclusive elections. Improve electoral dispute resolution mechanisms to reduce space for contestation. Roadmap options The Committee presented four potential roadmaps toward ending the transitional period and holding elections. Presidential and legislative elections are to be conducted within two years, commencing once a political settlement is reached on the legal status and financial independence of HNEC, the necessary amendments to the constitutional and legal framework for elections, and a unified government. The political settlement should include provisions for adopting a permanent constitution for the country. A bicameral legislative council will be elected within two years, with the drafting and ratification of the constitution entrusted to the Senate. The new constitution will regulate all subsequent presidential and parliamentary elections. Adopt a constitution, prior to elections. This option involves examining the challenges associated with the 2017 draft constitution and exploring the feasibility of drafting a new constitution. Activate the dialogue mechanism and replace existing institutional stakeholders with a constituent assembly through LPA Article 64 dialogue process. Before any option can be adopted, the Committee recommended that a political settlement be reached among key actors to establish a conducive environment for elections, including: Reconstituting the HNEC board; Granting HNEC financial independence; Enacting a new amendment to the Constitutional Declaration; Amending electoral laws to ensure their implementability; and Reaching an agreement on a new executive authority with a defined mandate and timeframe. Guarantees and oversight mechanisms To ensure a credible process, the Committee recommended the following: Political recognition of the new government. A timebound mandate with a mechanism to assess the government's performance, allowing for its dismissal if it fails to prepare adequately for the elections. Restrictions on long-term financial or political commitments by the interim government. A national code of ethics for political conduct during elections. An independent national body to monitor the electoral process. A national arbitration mechanism for resolving disputes. Call for action In conclusion, the Advisory Committee affirmed that legislative reform alone will not secure a successful transition. Rather, a comprehensive political settlement is essential, underpinned by national consensus and inclusivity. The Committee called upon all Libyan stakeholders to work in good faith with UNSMIL to build a unified, sovereign, and democratic Libya. Tags: UNSMIL Advisory Committee Feb 2025
Libya Observer
4 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
UNSMIL calls on Libyans to share their opinions on crisis resolution proposals via online survey
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has called on Libyans to share their views on the four proposals presented by the Advisory Committee for resolving the crisis, while noting that the committee, which operates under UNSMIL, favors the option of forming a new unified government. In recent days, the UN Mission has held a series of meetings across several areas, including Jabal Nafusa, Benghazi, Misrata, Zintan, and other regions. During these meetings, it discussed the committee's proposals with civil society organizations, political parties, mayors, activists, elders, and local dignitaries. These proposals offer four pathways to resolving the crisis and reaching elections. The committee's proposals — one of which is to be chosen — include: Holding simultaneous presidential and legislative elections with amendments to disputed issues in the current electoral laws,' or 'Holding legislative elections first, followed by adopting a permanent constitution, then holding presidential elections,'or 'Adopting a permanent constitution before general elections,' or 'Establishing a political dialogue committee to temporarily replace all existing institutions, complete the electoral laws, and select an interim government,' while noting that the committee preferred the option of forming a new government with limited powers. The UN Mission aims to draft a roadmap that leads to elections based on one of these options, and has previously indicated that it may make adjustments based on the feedback it receives from citizens. The Mission considers its efforts in this context to be pivotal in determining the will of the Libyan people. The UN Envoy, Hanna Tetteh, stated that 'the public survey and consultations conducted by the Mission are essential to enable the Mission to present to the Security Council factual data reflecting the will of the Libyan people — not just the Mission's own analysis from meetings.' During her visit to Nafusa Mountain, she added: 'I want to be able to reflect your views as much as possible so that I can convey the voice of the Libyan people to the international community in support of a political process aligned with what the people want.' The Security Council is scheduled to hold a special session on Libya on June 24, during which the UN Envoy is expected to brief the Council on her tour across the country, the citizens' responses to the proposals, as well as the overall security situation. While UNSMIL has not yet specified the positions of the key parties to the crisis regarding the proposals, it reaffirms that it will continue its meetings and public consultations over the coming weeks.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) launches country-wide youth consultations on the political process and starts by meeting youth in four cities
Youth represent 38 per cent of the population (NESDB statistics) in Libya and their voices must be included in the political process. To support this, in addition to its regular meetings with youth (aged 18-35), the United Nations Support Mission in Libya is launching a wider programme with the aim to engage 500 young men and women across Libya in the coming months. As part of its broader efforts to engage the community on the Advisory Committee's recommendations on how to take Libya to elections and unify institutions, UNSMIL is conducting dedicated meetings with youth representatives, both online and in-person. More information about how young men and women can get involved can be found here. In addition, UNSMIL has also launched an online poll to ensure that a wider audience can be reached. 'As we develop the next steps of the political process, we want to hear everyone's views,' said Special Representative of the Secretary General for Libya, Hanna Tetteh. 'Youth are a driving force that can help shape the future of this country. They have specific needs and concerns, and they bring different perspectives that can inform decision-making. We want to hear directly from them because a process that is meant for the Libyan people needs the meaningful participation of all Libyan people.' UNSMIL has already met with youth in Zintan, Misrata, Benghazi and Nalut to discuss the Advisory Committee recommendations. Participants called for better access to economic and employment opportunities, unified government institutions, more representation and inclusion in decision-making processes, access to services, fair and equitable resource distribution. They also shared their ideas around decentralisation and political inclusion. Through these consultations and online polling, the Mission will capture youth recommendations and ideas and ensure they are fed into the decision-making process on next steps. UNSMIL published the Executive Summary of the Advisory Committee's Report in May, including its four proposed options to move the political process forward. The public consultation and survey ask people to put forward their recommendations and ideas and decided which of these options they would prefer: Conducting presidential and legislative elections simultaneously; Conducting parliamentary elections first, followed by the adoption of a permanent constitution; Adopting a permanent constitution before elections; or Establishing a political dialogue committee, based on the Libyan Political Agreement to finalize electoral laws, executive authority and permanent constitution. More information on the youth consultations and how to get involved can be found here. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
