Al-Sayeh: Foreign interference and the performance of UN envoys over the past 12 years are among the main obstacles to holding elections

The head of the High Electoral Commission, Imad Al-Sayeh, confirmed that foreign interference and the performance of UN envoys in Libya over the past 12 years were among the main reasons for obstructing the holding of elections.

Al-Sayeh explained in an interview with the Atlantic Council that the current political environment in Libya has become hostile to democratic principles, especially elections.

Al-Sayeh attributed the existence of this environment to a number of factors, most notably the lack of a constitution regulating the process of transfer of power, in addition to negative foreign interventions aimed at preserving its interests and maintaining the status quo, and the ineffective performance of most of the special envoys of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Al-Sayeh also pointed out that the path towards elections and the peaceful transfer of power faces major restrictions in Libya, which make holding the electoral process in the short term difficult.

He pointed out that adopting electoral laws has now become a much greater challenge than drafting them at the beginning, especially since the political parties involved in the crisis did not accept certain articles and provisions in these laws, especially those related to candidate qualifications and the electoral system.

He added, “The parties concerned with the current Libyan political crisis, including the international community, led by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, view the elections as a goal, not a tool.”

He went on to say, “Everyone knows that elections are a tool for the peaceful transfer of power, which requires their implementation within a consensual political environment and cultural framework that enhances a minimum of security and stability, but unfortunately, these conditions are currently absent from the Libyan political scene.”

He continued by saying, “As long as this perspective prevails, the path towards elections and the peaceful transfer of power in Libya will face significant restrictions, which may lead to delaying or even preventing the holding of elections in the short term.”

Al-Sayeh accused some political parties of obstructing any electoral process that could end their political career, especially since during the past 12 years of dealing with the Libyan crisis, the United Nations mission did not have any strategic vision for moving the Libyan state from the transitional stage to the stage of permanent stability.

He criticized the successive UN envoys to Libya, saying, “Every UN envoy adopts a different vision for resolving the political crisis based on his convictions and perceptions, which will undoubtedly be affected by his personal behavior on the one hand, and by the fixed and changing political realities at the local and external levels on the other hand.”

He also stated that most of the UN envoys failed in their mission, and those who would have succeeded found themselves facing challenges that they could not overcome without international support, which is also divided, indicating that an analysis of the briefings they presented to the Security Council reveals that the resignation of any special envoy and his replacement will not have a significant impact. Without a coherent strategy.”

He pointed out that the focal point of the Libyan crisis is the political dimension, which is its primary source and cannot be ignored, and addressing other aspects, such as economic or security concerns, requires a political solution that leads to the presence of an elected authority that possesses the necessary legitimacy to manage other crises effectively with transparency and giving priority. For national interests above all.

Al-Sayeh also accused internal and external parties of benefiting from the current situation, saying, “There is a tendency to take advantage of foreign interests and ambitions to maintain power, which hinders progress towards resolving the crisis. Continuing this approach, in the absence of a unified and conscious political leadership, will lead to the exacerbation of political conflicts and the deepening of Internal divisions.”

He concluded by saying, “The crisis is that continuing this situation protects the interests of foreign countries participating in the conflict and their local allies, and prevents any political changes that might threaten their interests.”