Tetteh’s roadmap: hope for Libya or another missed chance?

Forty days have passed since UN envoy to Libya, Hanna Tetteh, presented her political roadmap to the UN Security Council on 21 August. The plan was designed to lift Libya out of its prolonged paralysis and bring an end to the cycle of transitional arrangements that has persisted since 2011.

Tetteh’s proposal is built on three main pillars: a coherent electoral framework that is technically feasible, the formation of a unified government bridging east and west to prepare for elections, and an inclusive dialogue mechanism to resolve disputes — especially those related to security, the economy, and the electoral process.

Meetings without breakthroughs

Since unveiling the roadmap, Tetteh has held around 20 meetings with Libyan, regional, and international actors. While she has consistently called for finalising the constitutional and legal framework and restructuring the High National Election Commission (HNEC), no concrete steps have yet materialised.

Political analyst Mohamed Mahfouz points to only one positive sign: the engagement, however slow, of both the House of Representatives and the High Council of State in discussions on implementing the roadmap. Their sovereign committees recently met in Benghazi to address the long-disputed position of HNEC chairman.

Sticking points over elections

Disagreements between the two councils continue, particularly over whether to replace the entire HNEC board, only its head, or simply fill vacant seats. Mahfouz argues that resolving this issue will be the true test: “If the councils succeed, they can move to electoral laws. If not, the process will likely shift to the alternative political dialogue path that Tetteh outlined.”

Others are less optimistic. Political commentator Salah Bakkoush insists that none of the roadmap’s provisions have been met and that talk of consensus is “nothing but rumours”. He warns that Tetteh will face the Security Council in October without any real progress to show.

International dynamics

Observers also point to competing international tracks. While the United States has been promoting an economic and security-based approach, researcher Ibrahim Belgasem believes the UN mission has gained traction by persuading Washington to integrate its priorities into the broader political framework. This, he argues, strengthens the credibility of the roadmap.

Obstacles on the ground

Analysts highlight four main challenges to the plan: resistance from de facto authorities in parts of eastern Libya, fragile security conditions, political disputes over powers and timelines, and inadequate funding for the HNEC.

Hope or another missed chance?

With October marking a key reporting deadline at the UN, the fate of Tetteh’s roadmap remains uncertain. Supporters see defined timelines and fallback options as a reason for cautious optimism, while sceptics warn it risks becoming yet another stalled initiative.

For many Libyans, the central question endures: can this roadmap deliver genuine political change, or will it join the long list of international plans that failed to break the country’s deadlock?