TRIPOLI—The Structured Dialogue, which presented its final recommendations on 7 June, had approximately 120 members—but thousands of additional Libyans contributed their ideas to the process.
Nearly 6,000 people shared their views with the United Nations Support Mission in Libya through an online survey, conducted between 17 February and 1 April, on key issues the Structured Dialogue addressed related to governance, security, the economy, and national reconciliation and human rights. This campaign, called “Have Your Say,” was the second survey the Mission conducted during the six-month process. The first, which aimed to help determine which issues should be discussed, received 1,000 responses.
The Mission also invited the public to engage directly with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Zoom and created a toolkit, including background information and discussion slides, to enable community members to organise their own meetings to gather ideas about the issues the Structured Dialogue discussed.
The results of these activities were presented directly to Structured Dialogue members to inform their work developing concrete recommendations to create a conducive environment for elections, strengthen institutions, and address short- and long-term conflict drivers.
“Ordinary citizens can influence change in the country because they are the ones experiencing daily life and its challenges directly,” said Mabrouka Ali Miloud, who attended a meeting in Tripoli that was organised using the toolkit provided by UNSMIL. “The participation of activists and civil society actors is extremely important.”
Hamid Al-Barassi, who also participated in a meeting, added that the initiative created “safer spaces for discussion that encourage people to participate more confidently.”
“What many people hope to see is real implementation and decisions that genuinely reflect the needs of Libyan communities,” he said.
Some of the key perspectives that emerged from the “Have Your Say” survey included a strong demand for national elections; addressing economic challenges, including by creating a more conducive environment for entrepreneurship and oil sector reform; and increasing accountability.
Below is a brief summary of the results.
Strong demand for national elections
An overwhelming 90 per cent of respondents said elections are necessary, underscoring a clear public mandate to find a democratic path forward in the political crisis. However, many expressed doubt about the feasibility of holding national elections in the near term in the current context. The most cited obstacle—identified by 79 per cent of respondents—is the belief that those currently in power in Libya are unwilling to allow elections to proceed. Political divisions and security concerns were also highlighted as significant barriers.
Respondents emphasised the importance of broad political consensus to define a path forward. A majority supported a national agreement involving political, military, and security actors, alongside increased international pressure on those obstructing the electoral process.
Priorities for a unified government
Respondents also identified key priorities for a future unified government: chief among them are addressing economic challenges, improving basic public services, and establishing security and stability. Combating corruption and unifying state institutions also ranked highly, reflecting widespread concern about governance and transparency within Libya’s current political landscape.
Economic hardship impacting daily life
The impact of economic instability on the daily lives of Libyan citizens also featured prominently throughout the survey. Rising prices, a lack of cash liquidity, and the high costs of basic goods were identified as the most pressing issues affecting households. At the same time, trust in the management of Libya’s oil revenues remains extremely low, with 61 per cent of respondents stating they do not trust it at all.
Respondents called for greater transparency in the oil sector, including publishing production and revenue data. Many also supported redistributing resources more equitably, with nearly half favouring allocation based on population needs.
The majority of respondents said that they had considered becoming entrepreneurs, with 86 per cent of respondents saying they have thought about starting a business. However, they highlighted that significant barriers persist, including lack of access to credit, market instability, and complex administrative procedures.
Accountability and human rights
Across questions on national reconciliation and transitional justice, respondents consistently emphasised accountability as key to strengthening human rights and justice in Libya. A large majority identified removing those accused of human rights violations from positions of power and holding perpetrators accountable as essential for national reconciliation.
Concerns about arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances were also prominent. Respondents highlighted the need for judicial oversight, accountability for perpetrators, and stronger legal frameworks to protect detainees and their families.
Freedom of expression also remains constrained, with 67 per cent citing fear of arrest or retaliation as the main reason people cannot express political views online.
Security concerns
Security remains a central concern for many Libyans. Respondents pointed to the presence of armed groups, criminal activity and political fragmentation as key threats to personal safety.
To achieve long-term stability, participants emphasised strengthening state security institutions, enforcing accountability for violations, and reintegrating armed group members into civilian roles. The unification of military and security institutions—linked to a credible political process—was also seen as essential by the majority.
A call for inclusive solutions
The survey highlights the need for an inclusive approach to the current crisis. Respondents called for more occupational training opportunities for women in peacebuilding, improved access to employment for youth, and ensuring that persons with disabilities are fully integrated into the labour market.
Civil society organisations were recognized as important actors, though many respondents called for stronger legal protections and greater transparency to enable them to operate effectively.
