Libya is going through a "critical turning point" on the political, economic and security fronts, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative, Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, warned the Security Council on Wednesday.
While the roadmap presented in August 2025 by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is struggling to produce concrete results, the UN official lamented the lack of progress towards holding national elections and reunifying institutions in a country still divided between rival administrations.
"We are not where we would like to be in terms of progress," she said, pointing to the lack of commitment from some political actors, accused of ignoring the public's expectations for participation and democratic legitimacy.
She warned of the risks of prolonged inaction, which could worsen instability at the national and regional levels.
The UN-led process is based in particular on a structured dialogue organized around four pillars—security, governance, the economy, and national reconciliation—the conclusions of which are expected in early June. According to Ms. Tetteh, these recommendations should help define a shared vision and prepare the reforms necessary for holding peaceful elections.
At the same time, Libya's permanent representative to the United Nations, Taher Al-Sunni, expressed the Libyan authorities' desire to end the protracted transition. "The Libyan people want all processes to lead to a consensual constitutional framework that will allow for general elections to be held as soon as possible," he stated, calling for "renewing the legitimacy of institutions by listening to the voice of the people and the ballot box, rather than to munitions and bombings."
On the economic front, the head of UNSMIL painted an alarming picture, citing a marked deterioration characterized by inflation, fuel shortages and increasing poverty.
She denounced a system in which "Libya's national wealth is absorbed by a distorted political economy that fuels uncontrolled spending and exploits oil revenues." According to her, this misappropriation of resources weakens fiscal discipline and undermines the state's ability to address the population's essential needs.
On the security front, while the 2020 ceasefire remains largely respected, localized incidents persist, particularly in the south and in certain areas of the northwest, where armed groups and criminal networks continue to clash.
The human rights situation also remains worrying, with recurring reports of arbitrary detentions and acts of intimidation targeting political opponents and members of civil society.
Faced with these challenges, Ms. Tetteh stressed the central role of the Security Council in supporting UN mediation efforts. "Your support is not just important; it is essential," she concluded.
