UN Special Representative Briefs Security Council on Libya Elections Roadmap Developments

The UN Special Representative reported to the Security Council that Libya's political leaders have made limited progress in implementing the roadmap for national elections and unified institutions, the UN Special Representative for the country told the Security Council on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Hanna S. ' She added that some Libyan actors continue to disregard public expectations regarding participation in political processes or exercising leadership based on democratic legitimacy.

AllAfrica reported these details from her address. Tetteh highlighted potential national and regional risks from delays in implementing the roadmap. 'There are both national and regional risks to any continued inaction and foot dragging on the implementation of the roadmap and we believe it is important to recognize this now,' she said.

Libya remains divided between two rival administrations, contributing to the impasse. She updated the council on the structured dialogue, the third pillar of the roadmap, which she presented in August 2025. The dialogue centers on four issues: security, governance, the economy, and national reconciliation and human rights.

It incorporates views from people across Libya, with work in the four tracks proceeding toward firm recommendations. The structured dialogue is anticipated to conclude by early June 2026, with a final report presented to political leaders and the public.

'We envision these recommendations can help shape a national vision and inform critical policy reforms that are necessary to strengthen national institutions and create the conditions for the holding of peaceful national elections,' Tetteh said.

UNSMIL has continued engagement to advance the roadmap, including efforts to identify ways to unblock the current impasse. Tetteh reported on this impasse during her last statement to the Security Council two months ago. 'However, if there is not sufficient progress, as indicated earlier, I will be returning to this Council to present a proposal to move the process forward based on the provisions of existing political agreements,' she stated.

The UNSMIL roadmap was conceived to help overcome Libya's de facto divisions through a negotiated governance arrangement leading to institutional reunification. On the economic front, Tetteh described currency pressures, rising prices, fuel shortages, uncontrolled and opaque public spending, and growing poverty.

Recent findings by a UN expert panel explain the erosion of the state's capacity to govern through unified, rules-based institutions.

'Libya's national wealth is being absorbed into a distorted political economy that fuels unaccountable spending and weaponises oil revenues,' she said. ' Tetteh urged Libya to implement the UN expert panel's recommendations, particularly in relation to oversight and flows of revenue in the hydrocarbon sector. Regarding security, no violations of the 2020 ceasefire were recorded.

However, localised incidents occurred in southern border areas of Libya. Clashes were reported in four locations in northwest coastal communities last month, where the situation remains volatile among armed groups and criminal networks vying for control over territory and creating space for illicit activities.

Continuing reports cite arbitrary detention, intimidation, and reprisals by security actors against perceived political opponents, human rights defenders, and public officials in Libya.

'Libya has reached a significant political, economic, and security juncture. The institutions of the state remain divided, and there is not enough progress towards holding national elections,' Tetteh said. She repeated this assessment to emphasize the urgency.