The former special advisor to the United Nations Secretary-General on Libya, Stephanie Williams, strongly criticized the ruling elites of Libya, claiming that they seem inclined towards bartering their nation’s sovereignty for a lower cost.
She suggests that these individuals have essentially opened the door for interfering nations, at the invitation of the warring Libyan parties themselves.
Williams asserts that nations with vested interests in Libya have been deploying armed proxies to bolster their diverse, and at times, conflicting national priorities on Libyan soil.
These priorities span a wide range of issues that include combating terrorism, addressing immigration fears, controlling oil resources, countering religious extremism, exploiting Libya’s wealth, and securing strategic bases within geopolitically significant regions in the country.
Williams, who departed from her role as advisor to the UN Secretary-General on Libya in July 2022, stated that this approach, characterized by self-interest and opportunism, stands in stark contrast to the UN’s mandate.
She contends that the UN’s mission is to facilitate peace and enable the Libyan people to establish a representative government as well as accountable institutions.
