Brief/ Resolving Libya’s Legitimacy Crisis: 2023 Elections as a Pathway for Peace and Democratisation? by Happi Cynthia

Libya is in dire need of a legitimate administration to take it a step away from political stagnation and division from which all Libyan institutions suffer. In this JOINT Brief, Happi Cynthia (Institute for Peace and Security Studies – IPSS) discusses UN Special Representative Bathily’s initiative aimed at holding Lybia’s presidential and legislative elections in 2023.

This initiative might be one of the best chances to re-establish the legitimacy of Lybian government and institutions. However, Holding elections without an implementable constitutional basis and without unifying key state institutions will only result in counterproductive elections. The European Union can be a strategic partner in the realisation of all political, legal and security requirements that are indispensable for the success of the elections.