New UN Envoy to Libya Commits to Peace and Stability Amid Ongoing Divisions
Hanna Serwaa Tetteh emphasizes collaborative efforts to resolve Libya's longstanding political crisis.
The newly appointed United Nations envoy to Libya, Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, has pledged to exert all efforts towards achieving peace and stability in the North African nation, which has been mired in conflict and division since the 2011 uprising that ousted longtime leader Muammar Qaddafi.
In her inaugural address following her appointment by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Tetteh acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating that her assignment in Libya ‘will not be easy’ and emphasized the importance of ‘working together’ among Libyan factions.
Tetteh, born in Hungary and hailing from Ghana, previously served as the UN Special Representative for the Horn of Africa in 2022. She is the tenth individual to hold the position of Special Representative and head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) since the role was established.
Tetteh succeeds Abdoulaye Bathily of Senegal, who resigned from the position in April 2024.
Libya's political landscape is characterized by a division between a UN-recognized government based in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east, which is backed by military leader Khalifa Haftar.
This fragmentation has contributed to ongoing instability, hampering efforts for national reconciliation and progress.
The completion of presidential and parliamentary elections, initially scheduled for December 2021, has been indefinitely delayed due to disputes among the competing factions.
In her mission statement, Tetteh reiterated the UN's commitment to supporting Libyan institutions in organizing inclusive national elections and fostering a collective vision to address the country's enduring issues.
She also pledged to work closely with both regional and international entities to uphold Libya's national unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty, recognizing the significant role these factors play in the stabilization of the nation.
The ongoing mission of UNSMIL includes facilitating dialogue among various Libyan stakeholders to promote a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned solution to the crisis.
In her inaugural address following her appointment by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Tetteh acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating that her assignment in Libya ‘will not be easy’ and emphasized the importance of ‘working together’ among Libyan factions.
Tetteh, born in Hungary and hailing from Ghana, previously served as the UN Special Representative for the Horn of Africa in 2022. She is the tenth individual to hold the position of Special Representative and head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) since the role was established.
Tetteh succeeds Abdoulaye Bathily of Senegal, who resigned from the position in April 2024.
Libya's political landscape is characterized by a division between a UN-recognized government based in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east, which is backed by military leader Khalifa Haftar.
This fragmentation has contributed to ongoing instability, hampering efforts for national reconciliation and progress.
The completion of presidential and parliamentary elections, initially scheduled for December 2021, has been indefinitely delayed due to disputes among the competing factions.
In her mission statement, Tetteh reiterated the UN's commitment to supporting Libyan institutions in organizing inclusive national elections and fostering a collective vision to address the country's enduring issues.
She also pledged to work closely with both regional and international entities to uphold Libya's national unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty, recognizing the significant role these factors play in the stabilization of the nation.
The ongoing mission of UNSMIL includes facilitating dialogue among various Libyan stakeholders to promote a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned solution to the crisis.
