A protest against dictator Muamar Ghaddafi in Bayda, Libya, in July 2011. Photo credit: Wikimedia/ليبي صح (CC0 1.0)

National elections in Libya are overdue due to the political crisis and civil war. In November 2020, Libyan stakeholders participating in UN-sponsored talks proposed December 24, 2021 for presidential and parliamentary elections. However, the elections were delayed again shortly before that day, and the date remains uncertain.

Political Context

In 2011, an uprising deposed longtime dictator Muammar el-Qaddafi. Since then, Libya has been in crisis, and is currently in a state of civil war. Two rival (unelected) governments control different parts of the country. The United Nations-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), based in Tripoli, controls the country’s west. Its leader is Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. al_Sarraj has asked the UN for support to hold elections.

Warlord Khalifa Haftar‘s Libya National Army (LNA), based in Benghazi, controls the east and south. 

The House of Representatives (HoR), elected in June 2014, is based in Tobruk in the east. It opposes the GNA, and although it theoretically appointed Haftar as head of the LNA, in practice it exerts little if any control over the LNA.

In potentially good news, the factions announced a ceasefire in August 2020, and stated a desire to hold elections within 18 months. In September, negotiators from both sides agreed to proposed elections in December 2021. Nonetheless, it is unclear when the elections will actually happen.

Protests Gathering Momentum

In the last few months, a protest movement has been growing. Citizens are demanding elections, among other things. For example, a new protest group called Harak Al-Shabab 23/08 organized demonstrations in August in several cities (and faced a crackdown). Their demands included conducting elections, and better governance and accountability in general. Other groups have demonstrated for the ouster of both Haftar and the GNA. As a result, Haftar’s government submitted its resignation in September, and al-Sarraj has indicated that his government will resign as well.

The Upcoming Elections

The two frontrunners in the upcoming presidential election are Haftar and Saif al-Qaddafi, son of the former dictator. International actors have urged the country to hold the elections by June 2022.

Ongoing Local Elections

Various cities have been holding local elections, following the demands of citizens.

Geopolitical Context

Russia and Turkey, which each back a different faction, took the lead on January 2020 ceasefire negotiations. However, some have criticized their handling of the situation and believe that they are impeding, rather than encouraging, progress.

Curated News and Analysis

Samy Magdy, AP (January 17, 2022): UN official: Libya elections could be rescheduled for JuneUN official: Libya elections could be rescheduled for June

Anchal Vohra, Foreign Policy (January 4, 2022): Elections Can’t Fix What’s Wrong With Libya

Al Jazeera (December 27, 2021): Libyan parliament refuses to fix date for delayed elections

Ahmed Elumami and Stephanie van den Berg, Reuters (December 13, 2021): In Libya, Gaddafi leadership bid opens old wounds

Daily Sabah (November 21, 2021): 24 to run in Libyan elections as obstacles, divisions persist

Richard Spencer, Times of London (November 8, 2021): Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar may recognise Israel for election support

Al Jazeera (September 22, 2021): Libya: Haftar stands down from military role before polls: Libyan media said move paves way for Haftar to run for president under controversial new law.

The Arab Weekly (September 21, 2021): Unsure of Libya’s upcoming presidential elections, Islamists prefer to delay them

Ilya Barabanov and Nader Ibrahim, BBC (August 11, 2021): Wagner: Scale of Russian mercenary mission in Libya exposed

Robert F. Worth and Jehad Nga, New York Times (July 30, 2021 – with photo essay): Qaddafi’s Son Is Alive. And He Wants to Take Libya Back.

Alessandra Bocchi, Wall Street Journal (July 13, 2021): Biden Can Make Up for Obama’s Libya Neglect: A diplomatic push for fair elections in December would serve U.S. interests.

Abdulkader Assad, Libya Observer (July 3, 2021): Haftar threatens to “liberate Tripoli again” if Libyan elections fail

Patrick Wintour, The Guardian (June 23, 2021): Libya talks set December date for national elections

Patrick Wintour, The Guardian (June 23, 2021): EU warns anyone judged to be delaying Libya elections will risk sanctions

Rym Momtaz, Politico (June 16, 2021): Macron pitches Biden on plan to get foreign fighters out of Libya

Wolfgang Pusztai, Atlantic Council (June 4, 2021): Libya’s fragile ceasefire: A lost opportunity?

Dorian Jones, Voice of America (May 25, 2021): Turkey Under Fire Over Military Presence in Libya

Missy Ryan, Washington Post (May 10, 2021): U.S. appointment of Libya envoy signals intensified push to end post-revolution instability

Missy Ryan, Washington Post (May 10, 2021): U.S. appointment of Libya envoy signals intensified push to end post-revolution instability

Zehra Nur Düz, Andalou Agency (May 5, 2021): UN envoy for Libya submits proposal on elections to forum

Mary Fitzgerald, World Politics Review (May 3, 2021): Peace in Libya Will Require More Than Elections

Safa Alharathy, Libya Observer (April 28, 2021): Five major countries stress importance to stick to date of elections and withdrawing mercenaries from Libya

Brian McQuinn, The Conversation (March 22, 2021): Ten years after the Arab Spring, Libya has another chance for peace

TRT World (February 16, 2021): 10 years after Arab Spring, Libya hopes for fair elections

Sasha Toperich, The Hill (February 15, 2021): Libya’s new interim government pressed hard to deliver national elections

Barbara Bibbo, Al Jazeera (February 6, 2021): Libya’s tortuous path towards a constitution and elections

Patrick Wintour, The Guardian (January 20, 2021): ‘Kleptocrats’ will try to block Libya elections, says UN envoy

Enes Canli, Andalou Agency (November 13, 2020): Libyan parties agree to hold elections on Dec. 24, 2021

Patrick Wintour, The Guardian (October 5, 2020): Turkey and Russia’s deepening roles in Libya complicate peace efforts

Rabia Golden, Libya Observer (October 4, 2020): Over 30 municipalities are due for council elections before the end of this year

Shahed Ezaydi, openDemocracy (September 29, 2020): What exactly is happening in Libya?

Al Jazeera (September 14, 2020): Libya’s eastern-based government resigns amid protests

AP (September 24, 2020): Libyan leader asks for UN support in elections

Edward Yeranian, VOA (September 17, 2020): Libya’s UN-backed Prime Minister ‘Ready to Step Down’ if New Leader Chosen

Jeffrey Feltman, Brookings Institution (September 11, 2020): Washington can seize a pinprick of light in Libya

Kali Robinson, Council on Foreign Relations (June 18, 2020): Who’s Who in Libya’s War?

The Economist (January 23, 2020): Khalifa Haftar, the Libyan warlord, is not interested in compromise

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Updated January 16, 2022