Judicial unity takes centre stage at Libyan talks in London

Libya’s UN-facilitated 4+4 dialogue group has agreed to widen consultations with the judiciary, seeking to resolve institutional divisions that participants say threaten the prospects for credible national elections.

Meeting in London under UN Special Representative Hanna Tetteh, the group identified judicial unity and independence as essential to holding presidential and parliamentary votes whose outcomes would command acceptance across political divides.

Members committed to consulting more widely within the judicial community on possible solutions, while respecting the institution’s neutrality and independence. They also agreed to continue seeking political support for the electoral agreement signed in Tripoli on 30 August and to meet again in two weeks, the UN Support Mission in Libya said. 

The August agreement addresses two central obstacles to elections: reconstituting the board of the High National Elections Commission and settling outstanding disputes over the constitutional and legal framework governing the polls.

It envisages presidential and parliamentary elections under a single executive authority and commits the parties to work towards holding them within 24 months. That remains a political commitment rather than a confirmed polling date. 

Securing support for implementation remains a challenge. In her October briefing to the UN Security Council, Tetteh said the High Council of State had rejected the agreement, although several of its members had requested more time for consultations and indicated a willingness to engage.

The council’s objections included concerns that the proposed arrangements could bypass the constitutional, legal and consensual rules governing the political process or undermine the powers of Libya’s two legislative bodies.

Tetteh also warned that preparations for elections could not be separated from wider institutional divisions. She backed efforts to work with Libyan judicial and legal experts on practical measures to protect judicial independence, provide legal certainty and safeguard the integrity of future polls.