United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has submitted a comprehensive report to the Security Council about the worsening situation in Libya, reporting heightened armed tensions, entrenched political fragmentation, and increasing human rights abuses that threaten to send the country into renewed turmoil.
Tensions have jumped sharply between Saddam Haftar and Hassan Al-Zadama forces, especially in the central and southern areas, after a move to reorganize the 128th “Moa’azzaz” Brigade and confine its activity to the Al-Jufra region.
This resulted in fatal confrontations around Al-Qatrun, where the brigade resisted handing over its military equipment even after mediation by Tebu tribal leaders. Dozens of fatalities were recorded, with the 5+5 Joint Military Committee staying quiet, worsening apprehensions.
The situation further deteriorated when forces loyal to the Libyan National Army seized the Tinedi camp in Ubari, which was under the control of the Government of National Unity-appointed commander of Sabha. The move was interpreted as a breach of the 2020 ceasefire agreement.
National reconciliation is still in jeopardy and being obstructed by disagreements among the Presidential Council and the House of Representatives, who still clash over a shared reconciliation law.
A peace and security agreement signed under the African Union umbrella, involving prominent Libyan leaders such as Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, was controversial. The pact was opposed by supporters of Prime Minister Dabaiba, who demanded a more representative reconciliation process. Guterres emphasized the need for a cohesive legal framework that is in line with Libya’s international commitment and transitional justice principles.
Instability is increasing in the west. Interior Minister Emad Trabelsi said that a joint security room will be created to implement arrest warrants in the western mountain region, in the wake of competition between armed groups for domination of the Ghadames oil basin. The government, in the meantime, carried out military operations—land and air—against suspected smuggling networks in coastal cities such as Zawiya, Sabrata, Zuwara, and Al-Ajilat.
Tripoli has also seen renewed fights between rival militias, leaving injuries and civilian property damage. Institutional tensions even made their way to the National Oil Corporation following the launch of an investigation into Chairman Farhat Bengdara on charges of financial and administrative abuses. He went on to resign due to health issues.
The report documents shocking human rights violations, such as politically motivated arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and televised coerced confessions—methods that subvert due process and justice. Lawyers, members of the judiciary, and their family members have been targeted as well. A leading lawyer is still arbitrarily held in Benghazi since March 12, and the brother of one anti-corruption activist was kidnapped on March 24.
Osama Nejm’s release and return to Libya in defiance of an ICC arrest warrant is troubling to the extent of accountability for serious offenses. The recent identification of mass graves in eastern Libya proves the existence of widespread networks of human trafficking, torture, and extortion of asylum seekers and migrants.
Guterres underscored the need to restore the political process through the UN-assisted advisory committee, in addition to a single national budget and strong mechanisms of financial oversight. He appealed for the reunification of the High Council of State and was gravely concerned with the expansion of international law and human rights abuses perpetrated by security forces throughout the country. Lastly, he demanded greater measures to safeguard migrants and refugees, disband trafficking networks, and bring the perpetrators of abuses to book.
