S/PV.9103 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2022/580, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 12 votes in favour, none against and three abstentions. The draft resolution has been adopted as resolution 2647 (2022). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting. Dame Barbara Woodward (United Kingdom): I welcome the adoption of resolution 2647 (2022), which renews the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The resolution contains a number of important messages, including on the political and security processes, the integrity of the National Oil Corporation and human rights. Of particular importance is the clear message to the Libyan parties on the need to agree a pathway to deliver presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible. We thank Security Council members for their constructive engagement and support for the substantive elements of the resolution. However, we share the frustration of our African colleagues at the short three-month mandate. Their abstention is understandable given Russia’s refusal to join the consensus on our proposals for a longer mandate for UNSMIL. Russia’s approach goes against what Libya, the region and the United Nations have requested. Insisting on three-month rollovers in the absence of a Special Representative of the Secretary- General is not only short-sighted, but it also undermines the ability of UNSMIL to support Libyan leaders to achieve the necessary political and security objectives required to bring stability to the country. We welcome the Secretary-General’s continued efforts to find a suitable Special Representative candidate. It is clear that this is not an easy task. We call on all relevant stakeholders, including the Council, to take a constructive and flexible approach so as to enable a swift appointment.

The Russian Federation supported the resolution prepared by the United Kingdom on extending the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) (resolution 2647 (2022)). It was the only possible compromise for all of us at this stage, and we all understand that the current configuration of United Nations mediation efforts in Libya is regrettably unable to address the pressing problems related to settling the situation in the country, which is a situation that satisfies none of us. It is not normal for UNSMIL to have been left decapitated for such a long time, which has limited the tools at its disposal to support the Libyan dialogue. The tenure of Stephanie Williams, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General, that capacity without an appropriate security mandate has been unjustifiably prolonged, despite assurances that the appointment was a temporary measure. We insist on António Guterres promptly submitting a worthy and authoritative candidate for the post of his Special Representative for Libya and the Head of UNSMIL — and one that would suit the main Libyan actors as well as regional stakeholders — for subsequent approval by members of the Security Council. Resolution 2647 (2022) reiterates a clear signal of the need for urgent action in this regard. We hope that we will not have to observe a deliberate dragging out of this issue to serve opportunistic interests. The Mission requires a leader who enjoys the true trust of the Libyans. We cannot agree with a Libyan settlement being built outside of the framework set by the Security Council. This is unacceptable, especially when we are seeing another cycle of competing powers duelling in Libya. The country has come to a brink beyond which the resumption of armed conflict is possible. The fate of Libya and its people is at stake right now. Our insistence in the issue of appointing a special representative is dictated solely by concern for maintaining the effectiveness of United Nations efforts to promote a settlement in Libya. The current uncertainty unfortunately does not help advance us towards that goal. We understand that our African colleagues are dissatisfied with this state of affairs. The longer it persists, the bigger and more dangerous the situation becomes, not only for the Mission but for the role of the United Nations in Libya as a whole. The current state of affairs does not encourage the Libyan parties to continue constructive efforts towards uniting the country and its State institutions. We will be ready to extend the Mission’s mandate for a standard period of time and provide more substantive content to a future resolution. After UNSMIL finally has a head, we trust that the leadership of the United Nations Secretariat will take this Council signal seriously.

The United Arab Emirates welcomes the adoption of resolution 2647 (2022), which extends the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). We thank the United Kingdom, in its capacity as penholder, for its efforts aimed at facilitating the negotiations. We are hopeful that consensus can be reached in future to renew the Mission’s mandate for a longer period in order to enhance its effectiveness and efficiency and build on the progress made in the Libyan-led, Libyan-owned political process, with the assistance of the United Nations. We also stress the need for UNSMIL to be able to implement the recommendations of the independent strategic review, completely fulfil its mandate and develop a long-term strategy to support Libyan efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability. We also hope that the Mission will soon resume its work under the leadership of a Special Representative of the Secretary- General, in line with resolution 2629 (2022). In conclusion, we emphasize the need for the Security Council to continue speaking with one voice to support Libya and realize the aspirations of the Libyan people.

I would like to thank the United Kingdom as the penholder on resolution 2647 (2022) for its efforts as well as the other members of the Security Council for their engagement during the negotiations. Gabon abstained in the voting on the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). This vote is a call for the interests and concerns of Libyans to be put above all other considerations. Council members must transcend their differences and offer Libya the support it needs to achieve a lasting peace. The Security Council’s inaction only amplifies the suffering of the Libyan people. Gabon had no choice but to abstain. I would like to remind Council members that the Libyan ambassador challenged us very recently, on 25 July 2022, about the Council’s ineffectiveness in agreeing on ways to resolve the Libyan crisis and about the consequences of this inaction on the lives of millions of Libyans who only want to live in peace (see S/PV.9098). The Security Council has already made four technical renewals of UNSMIL’s mandate for a maximum of three months — on 15 and 30 September 2021, and 31 January and 29 April 2022. While all the indicators are flashing red and instability is increasing in Libya, the Security Council remains deaf. The gradual deterioration of the security situation on the ground accentuates the risk of losing all the hard- won gains of recent years. But the Council remains insensitive. These short mandates undermine the credibility of the Security Council and have deeply shattered the confidence of the Libyan people and the States of the region. Gabon recalls once again that the deterioration of the security situation in Libya has a visible impact on the stability of the region and the stability of African populations. The situation in the Sahel is there to prove it. The proliferation of weapons and the spread of terrorism have made it an unstable region. It is high time to put an end to this cycle of short- term renewals, which are not helpful to the Libyan people. We reiterate our support for the Secretary- General’s swift appointment of an African to the position of Special Representative of the Secretary- General. Let us empower Libyans to come together and support a stronger Libya through an UNSMIL mandate with substance.

Ghana would like to thank the United Kingdom as penholder for its diligent and committed efforts aimed at facilitating the negotiation of the resolution just adopted (resolution 2647 (2022)). Regrettably, Ghana abstained from the voting on the resolution for the following reasons. First, the Security Council once again, and for the fifth consecutive time, has failed to show commitment to the Libyan people through technical rollovers and by not extending the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for a one-year period to consolidate all the gains of the peace efforts and foster serious engagement between the Council and the Libyan people through UNSMIL. Secondly, it may also be noted that the Secretariat, in one of its briefings, drew the Council’s attention to the fact that short mandates are a disincentive to would- be potential candidates for the position of Special Representative of the Secretary-General. Thirdly, the frustrations of the Libyan people were amply demonstrated by the Permanent Representative of Libya, Ambassador Taher Elsonni when he addressed the Security Council on Monday, 25 July (see S/PV.9098). He demanded action than rhetoric from the Council. It is Ghana’s firm belief that a substantive mandate renewal would have sent a positive signal to the Libyan people. Fourthly, much as Ghana appreciates the efforts of the Secretary-General to fill the vacant position of an Special Representative of the Secretary-General, the failure of the Security Council to find consensus on his proposed nominee further complicates the Libyan peace process, with the departure of the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Libya. We take this opportunity to call on the members of the Security Council to place the overall interests of Libya above all else and work constructively with the Secretary-General in appointing the desired leadership for UNSMIL. The people of Libya are crying out for elections as a basic step towards the rebuilding of their nation. The Security Council cannot let them down. In conclusion, we encourage the competent Libyan authorities to make all the necessary efforts in realizing the aspirations of the Libyan people by holding the presidential and parliamentary elections within the mandate cycle.

Currently, the Libyan political process is at a critical period. The Libyan House of Representatives and the High State Council have great deal of consensus on the constitutional basis of the election, but a final agreement has not yet been reached. Against that background, China supports the United Nations continuing to play the role of the main mediation channel, and voted in favour of resolution 2647 (2022), on authorizing the extension of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The post of Head of UNSMIL and Special Representative of the Secretary-General has been vacant for more than half a year. The resolution once again called for the appointment of the Special Representative for Libya as soon as possible. Appointing the Special Representative as soon as possible will help to restore the full performance of UNSMIL, strengthen the United Nations capacity for good offices and help to create conditions for UNSMIL to obtain a longer extension in the future. China supports an African candidate assuming the role of Special Representative and hopes that the selection and appointment work will make quicker progress. The Libyan issue has been protracted for more than 11 years. Strengthening dialogue and achieving reconciliation will help to create a favourable climate for the Libyan political process. China supports the inclusion of an inclusive and comprehensive national reconciliation process in the resolution, hopes that all parties in Libya will implement confidence-building measures and appreciates and supports the African Union’s active support for the reconciliation process in Libya.

Mexico expresses its support for the work conducted by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya at critical times for the political stability and security of that country. It is in that same spirit that we voted in favour of resolution 2647 (2022) so that the Mission can continue to operate given the marked deterioration of the situation in Libya. Nevertheless, I would like to put on record the fact that, by once again limiting the extension of the mandate to three months, we are contributing to the uncertainty just when the Libyan people most needs the certainty of the international community’s support. After almost a year of repeatedly resorting to that method, the conditions in which the United Nations Support Mission in Libya is operating are increasingly uncertain due to the lack of a substantive mandate that allows it to operate in a stable manner. At the same time, the Special Representative post remains vacant. It would be helpful for all of us to once and for all break that vicious cycle. Mexico reiterates the importance of strengthening the United Nations presence in Libya to rechannel the political process. We are convinced that for that we need a United Nations Support Mission in Libya that is reformed in line with the recommendations of the strategic review conducted last year and under robust leadership that is fully supported by the Security Council.

On four occasions — 15 September last year, 30 September last year, 31 January and 29 April, the Security Council technically rolled over the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for not longer than three-month periods. The same happened today, for the fifth time. On each of the four previous occasions, we expressed our deep disappointment at such brief renewals. Nevertheless, we voted in favour, with the earnest expectation that even in such a diminished form, UNSMIL could still provide support to Libya. What is really required is for the Mission to have a substantial mandate for a period of 12 months, plus the appointment of an appropriate African Special Envoy. Since September last year, the Security Council has been repeatedly briefed on the crippling effects that the short mandates have on the ability of UNSMIL to effectively execute its mandate. We heard that from the Secretariat and from the representative of Libya. As recently as last Monday, Ambassador Taher Elsonni lamented the Council’s inability to find common purpose in its engagement with Libya (see S/PV.9098). He observed the frequency of meetings, the lack of follow-up and how much our frequent conviction that only Libyan-led and -owned solutions will work still require a Security Council that is supportive of progress since the country is under Chapter VII. Resolution 2647 (2022), which we just adopted, and its three-month mandate for UNSMIL constitute yet another disappointment to the people of Libya. We appreciate some substantial changes in the resolution, but Kenya believes it is no longer tenable for UNSMIL to operate with such a brief and, therefore, uncertain mandate. Indeed, the new provisions in the resolution can be properly implemented only with a mandate closer to 12 months. For that reason, we voted to abstain to signal our dissatisfaction with what is fast becoming a damaging status quo. We hope that our vote will encourage all Council members to reconsider their positions and agree to a longer mandate when the present three-month mandate expires in October. We also hope that a Special Envoy from Africa will be selected and appointed during this period so that the longer-lasting mandate is implemented properly.

Let me thank the United Kingdom for its constructive role as the penholder for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). Thanks to the United Kingdom’s hard work and the efforts of most members of the Council, we now have a more substantive mandate, which includes important language in support of the political process and assurances that Libya’s oil revenue is managed transparently for the benefit of the entire Libyan people. We are pleased to have a substantive mandate for the first time since September 2020. But we are disappointed that, once again, the Security Council has been forced to accept only a three-month mandate extension. We note that the abstentions of our colleagues, the three African members of the Security Council (A3), today in protest of Russia’s insistence on a three-month mandate duration, and we share the A3’s frustration. We believe that the A3 clearly have the best interests of the Libyan people in mind. Russia’s specious contention that a three-month mandate will somehow assist the Secretariat in securing the Security Council’s full support for a Special Representative of the Secretary-General nominee has already been proved false. To the contrary, as the Secretariat has stated numerous times, a short duration only further complicates the Secretariat’s efforts. Revisiting the mandate every few months makes it much harder for UNSMIL to implement long-term plans. It makes it harder to develop sustainable solutions to Libya’s challenges. And it makes it harder to recruit the best candidate for the role. Libya is at a critical juncture, and UNSMIL has a major role to play in supporting preparations for elections, monitoring the ceasefire, reporting on human rights issues and providing technical assistance on State finances and the budget. The Libyan people are relying on UNSMIL. It does a disservice to them and all of us to play games with the mandate. And the United States will continue its full support of United Nations efforts to establish a Libyan-led path to free and fair elections based on a constitutional framework. Finally, I would like to take this time to thank the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Libya, Stephanie Williams. I want to thank her for her extraordinary efforts to broker an agreement on the constitutional framework for elections. We wish her well in her future endeavours and call on the leaders of the House of Representatives and the High State Council to work constructively towards the goal Ms. Williams sought to advance. We also support the efforts of the Secretariat and Council members in their discussions to find a new candidate  — someone who can effectively lead UNSMIL and facilitate the necessary dialogue among Libyan leaders towards a persistent peace.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Brazil. Brazil welcomes the renewal of the mandate of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). We consider it a positive step for the Security Council to acknowledge the importance of peacebuilding efforts for the future of Libya. Examples of such efforts are institution-building, security sector reform and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, all of which have referenced in resolution 2647 (2022), adopted today. In that regard, we recall the positive role that the Peacebuilding Commission can play in assisting countries to implement their peacebuilding priorities and renewing the mandates of United Nations missions. With regard to UNSMIL’s mandate, the compromise reached within the Council on its duration offers the Secretary-General and Council members a new opportunity to engage in the appointment of the Mission’s leadership, with the expectation that a suitable candidate will be appointed as soon as possible. We hope that the subsequent renewals of UNSMIL’s mandate will benefit from more predictable time frames. Finally, because regional dynamics should be taken into account, we believe that a candidate from the African continent would be well-suited for the position. I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers.