Bathily Steps Down As UN Special Representative for Libya

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Abdoulaye Bathily, has resigned. Bathily disclosed his decision on Tuesday, citing obstacles encountered in his efforts to mediate.

He, while submitting his resignation to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, expressed his frustration, noting that his efforts to foster dialogue and address concerns were met with “stubborn resistance, unreasonable expectations, and indifference to the interests of the Libyan people.

Bathilly, who assummed his role in September 2022, emphasized the need for Libyan leaders to achieve a political settlement through negotiations and compromise and underscored the importance of prioritizing the aspirations of the 2.8 million registered Libyan voters over the narrow interests of a select few.

His resignation has raised concerns about the trajectory of UN mediation efforts in Libya and the ongoing pursuit of political stability in the conflict-ridden nation.

The continuity of UNSMIL’s leadership and the future direction of diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the crisis in Libya is now faced with uncertainty.