HANNAH Serwaa Tetteh, the newly appointed Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), has vowed to lead mediation efforts aimed at a Libyan-led resolution to the country’s political crisis.
Upon her arrival in Libya on Thursday, Tetteh reaffirmed her commitment to advancing peace efforts, aligning with UN Security Council resolution 2755 (2024). She emphasised that her role will build on the work of her predecessors and UNSMIL colleagues to facilitate a solution that is determined by Libyans themselves.
Commitment to dialogue and elections
Tetteh stressed the need for inclusive dialogue, pledging to engage with Libyan civil society, political groups, and international stakeholders to secure broad support for preserving Libya’s national unity and sovereignty.
‘Under my leadership, UNSMIL will continue to work tirelessly to support and enable Libyan institutions to hold inclusive national elections and forge a collective national vision to address Libya’s long-standing challenges,’ she said in a statement.
Her appointment comes at a critical time as Libya remains trapped in a prolonged political deadlock. The country’s fragile peace collapsed after the breakdown of the 2020 ceasefire, with eastern-based factions refusing to recognise the Tripoli-based government. Both sides have been accused of obstructing efforts to hold national elections, prolonging instability.
Libya’s prolonged political crisis
Since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has struggled to transition to a stable democracy. Ongoing power struggles, rival administrations, and foreign interference have stalled progress, leaving the country in a state of uncertainty.
A former foreign minister of Ghana, Tetteh is an experienced diplomat with a background in UN-African Union engagements, now faces the challenge of bridging deep political divides and facilitating a roadmap towards lasting peace.
With renewed international focus on Libya’s future, her leadership at UNSMIL will be closely watched as she works to navigate the country’s complex political landscape and push for long-overdue elections.
