At the 10142nd meeting of the Security Council on Libya, the A3 (Liberia, Somalia and the DRC) reaffirmed that the stabilization of the country notably requires the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces, foreign fighters and mercenaries. They also supported the strengthening of UNSMIL’s office in Benghazi, in order to ensure fairer representation of all Libyans within the Mission.
The full statement is published below.
Madam President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3 group, namely Liberia, Somalia and my own country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The A3 group thanks the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Hanna Tetteh, for her comprehensive briefing, and commends her leadership and engagement with national authorities, civil society and international partners. We welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Libya in this meeting.
Madam President,
The A3 group wishes to reaffirm its unwavering support for Libya’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and political independence. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), whose presence remains essential for stabilization, continues to be hindered by the persistent deadlock and by measures that have deepened public distrust. We take note of the Secretary-General’s assessment that no significant progress has been made in implementing the initial milestones of the roadmap. We believe that this lack of momentum risks compromising the establishment of a credible legislative framework for the holding of national elections.
On the political front, we recognize the complexity of the situation and note that the agreed timelines for the electoral process, specifically concerning the composition of the Council of the High National Electoral Commission, have not been respected. Despite these obstacles, we are deeply encouraged by the determination of Libyan institutions striving to move the process forward. We particularly commend the Government for the proactive measures it has taken to reshuffle its cabinet in order to improve governance, as well as for the support it has expressed for initiatives aimed at promoting national unity.
We are further encouraged by the momentum of the structured dialogue, which offers an inclusive platform bringing together 124 participants, including 35 percent women, youth and persons living with disabilities. We welcome the peaceful conduct of elections in 12 municipal councils, which constitutes a compelling example of building democratic legitimacy through a grassroots approach. We reaffirm our support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Tetteh, as well as for UNSMIL’s efforts to overcome the current deadlock by identifying solutions with stakeholders.
Madam President,
With regard to the security track, we recognize that progress toward the reunification of security institutions remains difficult to achieve in the absence of a strategy agreed upon by Libyan stakeholders. Nevertheless, we commend the sustained commitment of the Libyan authorities to fruitful collaboration with the Joint Technical Coordination Team, as well as their cooperation in securing Libya’s borders. We stress that stabilizing the security environment is an indispensable prerequisite for the political process.
On the economic front, the A3 emphasize that the integrity and independence of Libya’s key economic institutions, in particular the Central Bank, the National Oil Corporation and the Audit Bureau, must be preserved. We note with concern the challenges facing macroeconomic stability, including the 14.7 percent devaluation of the Libyan dinar and the significant foreign exchange deficit recorded by the Central Bank.
The A3 welcome the signing, on 11 April, of Libya’s unified budget for the year 2026. As the first national budget in more than a decade, this act marks a crucial step toward strengthening economic coordination between the leaders of western and eastern Libya. We are convinced that this unified budget will help promote Libya’s financial stability, preserve its currency and consolidate its institutions. Greater economic integration will complement and reinforce the political process, paving the way for unified governance and national elections.
Furthermore, the A3 welcome the unanimous adoption of Security Council resolution 2819 (2026). In this context, we once again express our deep concern over the continued erosion of frozen Libyan assets due to misuse or mismanagement by certain international financial institutions. We reiterate that these assets were frozen for the sole purpose of protecting and preserving their value for the benefit of the Libyan people, not for that of the institutions holding the funds.
The A3 call for full clarification of these violations, as well as reparations and compensation. In this regard, we welcome the inclusion of paragraph 17 of the resolution, which invites Member States and financial institutions to support the conduct of a comprehensive audit by the Libyan Investment Authority, in order to verify the total amount, location and jurisdiction of all frozen assets. We will continue to work to ensure that Libyan views are taken into account, in order to enable the Libyan Investment Authority to reinvest its frozen cash reserves, in accordance with the mandate set out in resolution 2769 (2025).
In conclusion, Madam President, the road ahead is fraught with obstacles; nevertheless, through sustained engagement, cooperation and a shared commitment to peace, a stable and inclusive future for Libya remains within reach. It is high time for this Council to move beyond the mere tactical management of the crisis and unite around a coherent strategy capable of restoring national legitimacy. We must equip UNSMIL to facilitate a definitive political settlement, led and owned by Libyans, that responds to the aspirations of the Libyan people.
I thank you.