UN Envoy Unveils Roadmap for Libya's Path to General Elections and Unified State Institutions

Strategic Insights -

Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Libya and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, presented a roadmap to the Security Council on Thursday. The plan aims to establish a sequenced approach to hold presidential and legislative elections, unify institutions through a new government, and facilitate a structured dialogue among Libyans to address critical issues. This comprehensive roadmap is expected to be implemented gradually over a period of 12-18 months, with a focus on capacity-building and amending the legal and constitutional frameworks. Tetteh emphasized the need for the unequivocal support of the Security Council and key external actors to prevent spoilers and protect the process.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN envoy, Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, proposed a roadmap for Libya's path to general elections and unified state institutions, built around three core pillars: electoral framework, institutional unification, and structured dialogue.
  • The roadmap is expected to be implemented gradually over a period of 12-18 months, with a focus on sequential steps, including enhancing the capacity of the High National Elections Commission and amending the legal and constitutional frameworks.
  • Tetteh emphasized that addressing electoral laws is a key priority, with the current laws having been a major obstacle blocking the electoral process since 2021.
  • The plan requires the unequivocal support of the Security Council and key external actors to prevent spoilers and protect the process.
  • The Libyan Prime Minister, Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah, welcomed the envoy's briefing, stressing the importance of resolving electoral laws as a pivotal step in advancing the political process.

Statistics:

  • The roadmap aims to be implemented over a period of 12-18 months.
  • The High National Elections Commission will need to enhance its capacity to support the electoral framework.
  • The roadmap includes amiending the legal and constitutional frameworks for holding legislative and presidential elections.
  • The Security Council and key external actors are expected to provide support to prevent spoilers and protect the process.
  • The current electoral laws have been in place since 2021 and are considered a major obstacle blocking the electoral process.

Sources:

  • Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, briefing to the Security Council, August 21, 2025.
  • Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah, statement published on his official Facebook page.