The United Nations official in Libya has issued a stark warning about the escalating political, military, and security crisis in the oil-rich North African country. The situation has rapidly deteriorated over the past two months, raising concerns about increased instability.
Rival government forces in Libya have been making unilateral military moves, sparking mobilizations and threats of retaliation. There have also been attempts to unseat key officials, including the Central Bank governor and the prime minister in the western part of the country.
Since the NATO-backed uprising that led to the downfall of dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, Libya has been plagued by chaos and division. The country is currently split between rival administrations in the east and west, supported by rogue militias and foreign powers.
The current political crisis in Libya stems from the failure to hold elections in December 2021 and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah to step down. This has led to further political fragmentation, with competing power centers emerging in different parts of the country.
The UN official emphasized that unilateral actions by Libyan political and military actors have heightened tensions, deepened divisions, and complicated efforts to find a negotiated political solution. Economic issues, including attempts to change the Central Bank governor and disruptions in the oil sector, have added to the country's woes.
Efforts to close the Sharara oil field, Libya's largest, have further strained the situation. The National Oil Corporation declared force majeure due to the shutdown, attributing it to various factors including local protests and international disputes.
In response to recent political developments, the east-based House of Representatives took controversial steps to challenge the legitimacy of the Government of National Unity in the west. These moves have been met with resistance from leaders in the western part of the country.
The UN official stressed that the current status quo in Libya is unsustainable and called for renewed political talks to establish a unified government and pave the way for elections. Without such measures, the country faces the risk of deepening financial and security instability, as well as heightened domestic and regional tensions.
The UN political mission in Libya is actively working to de-escalate tensions and promote dialogue among all parties. The goal is to develop confidence-building measures that can help end unilateral actions and create a more conducive environment for a peaceful political process.
