UNSMIL Forms New Advisory Committee to Advance Libyan Elections

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has established a new 20-member Advisory Committee aimed at addressing the political deadlock hindering national elections, initially scheduled for December 2021. This committee, which includes 13 men and 7 women, will seek to create technically sound and politically viable solutions to contentious electoral issues that have prolonged the political impasse in Libya. The committee's proposals will be submitted to UNSMIL for consideration in the next phase of the political process, although it is not a decision-making body. The EU has expressed support for this initiative, emphasizing its potential to foster a unified national vision essential for Libya's stability. While some Libyan leaders remain skeptical about the electoral process due to fears of losing power, the committee's work is seen as a critical step towards renewing the legitimacy of Libya's fragmented institutions. The first meeting of the Advisory Committee is set to take place next week in Tripoli.