UN mission in Libya faces sharp criticism

The Libyan capital, Tripoli, is experiencing a growing wave of public frustration with the performance of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). Increasingly, citizens perceive the mission not as part of the solution but rather as a burden on the country’s political process and stability.

During a field survey, Libyan Express gathered opinions from several residents who expressed deep dissatisfaction with what they described as the mission’s absence from the realities on the ground. They emphasised that the mission’s presence has failed to bring any tangible improvements to Libya’s political or economic conditions or to the daily lives of its people.

This discontent coincided with protests held outside the UN mission’s headquarters in Tripoli, where demonstrators raised slogans condemning what they described as the ongoing deterioration of the political and economic situation across Libya. The protesters demanded a reassessment of the mission’s role and its withdrawal, accusing it of failing to provide real solutions.

Citizen Ramadan Khaled stated that the mission is no longer a trustworthy party in political settlements, asserting that it has become part of the problem itself. He called for its removal, citing a lack of seriousness and commitment. Meanwhile, Ms Fawziya Ben Ali described the mission’s activities as limited to formal meetings, dialogues, and overseas trips, with no real impact inside Libya.

Researcher Dr Ibrahim Mohammed argued that the mission’s efforts merely recycle old proposals that had been presented in previous years, lacking clear timelines or implementation mechanisms, which undermines its credibility. Additionally, some citizens accused the mission of executing foreign agendas that do not reflect Libyan aspirations but rather serve international interests detached from local realities.

In related developments, the UN mission announced on 4 February the formation of an advisory committee composed of twenty Libyan experts in an effort to revive the political process. This initiative forms part of the mission’s multi-track approach, which it submitted to the UN Security Council during its session on 16 December 2023.

On 20 May, the mission revealed the committee’s recommendations, stating that they represent Libyan advice intended to be considered in the next phases of the political process it facilitates. The goal is to build consensus, unify state institutions, and move forward toward elections.

These efforts come amid a severe political crisis in Libya characterised by the existence of two rival governments. The first, led by Osama Hammad, is based in Benghazi and was appointed by the House of Representatives in early 2022; it controls the eastern regions and most of the south. The second is the Government of National Unity, headed by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, based in Tripoli, governing the western part of the country.

Despite the mission’s ongoing attempts to support the political process, popular trust remains low amid rising frustration and concerns that the UN’s initiatives may amount to mere formalities without delivering real change.