Following his resignation, who is the Senegalese Abdoulaye Bathily, the former UN envoy in Libya?
Toward a lack of resolution in the Libyan crisis, and toward further conflict entering its thirteenth year, the situation in the country has escalated into a conflict with no clear solutions, and recently, Abdoulaye Bathily, the UN envoy in Libya, has found himself deeply perplexed by the events unfolding in the country.
The latest developments in Libya saw Abdullah Bathily tendering his resignation to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, citing the obstinacy of Libyan leaders and their unwillingness to reach a solution to the Libyan crisis. Bathily stated after briefing the Security Council that the United Nations organization would not be able to succeed in Libya due to the “selfishness” of Libyan leaders and their preference for personal interests over the interests of Libya. Bathily was not the first UN envoy in Libya to resign, preceded by Jan Kubis in 2021, who also resigned unexpectedly due to his failure to reconcile viewpoints between Libyan parties.
What is happening in Libya?
Bathily resigned from his position because the internal balance, especially in Tripoli, is fluctuating and he wants to avoid involvement in the military crisis that could erupt. Additionally, the Deterrence Force militia, led by Abdelrauf Kara, faces off against the Stability Support Apparatus led by Abdelghani al-Kikli, also known as “Ghniwa,” and these are two well-armed units. If they collide, it could lead to destabilization on a wide scale.
The tensions between militias are also linked to the limited economic situation in the government coffers they defend, led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, who has lost his legitimacy due to the crisis in relations with the Libyan Central Bank and thus the shortage of funds to meet militia demands.
Moreover, the situation in Tripoli is on the brink of explosion, with armed convoys entering the capital for days and clashes are bound to occur, and Bathily does not want to involve himself in this imminent explosion and preferred to resign early.
Bathily has over 40 years of experience, holding positions within the Senegalese government, academic institutions, regional organizations, and the United Nations system. In his most recent roles with the United Nations in 2021, Bathily was appointed as an independent expert for the strategic review of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
He also previously served as the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) from 2013 to 2014, and as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa in Gabon from 2014 to 2016.
In 2018, he was appointed as the Special Advisor to the Secretary-General for Madagascar, and in 2019, he worked as an independent expert for the strategic review of the United Nations Office for West Africa. Bathily held various ministerial positions in the Senegalese government, notably serving as Prime Minister in the President’s Office responsible for African Affairs from 2012 to 2013, Minister of Energy and Hydraulics from 2000 to 2001, and Minister of Environment and Nature Protection from 1993 to 1998.
He was elected as a member of the National Assembly in 1998 and served as its Vice President from 2001 to 2006. He was also elected as a member of the Economic Group of the Parliament of West African States from 2002 to 2006. Bathily studied history for over 30 years at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Senegal and lectured at numerous universities around the world.
Bathily holds a PhD in Philosophy of History from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom and a PhD from Cheikh Anta Diop University. He is fluent in English, French, Soninke, and Wolof, according to the United Nations.
