TRIPOLI—The Governance Track of the Structured Dialogue today in Tripoli wrapped up its final week of in-person discussions before finalising and drafting recommendations.
The consultations, facilitated by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, centred on executive and constitutional obstacles that are slowing progress toward elections, local governance, as well as a path towards a permanent constitution.
Governance Track members considered different ways to structure the executive authority for the government charged with leading the country to elections and ideas to ensure delivery on its mandate.
Members agreed on the need for an interim constitutional framework to govern the period preceding the holding of elections. On the issue of a permanent constitution,they recommended treating the issue as an integrated national process, to be deferred to a later and more stable phase by an elected body. They had dynamic discussions on steps that can be taken before and after the elections, stressing that the public should have a say in the constitution through referendum.
To address shortcomings accumulated over decades of excessive centralisation, Governance Track members also discussed the strategic shift toward a local governance system as a tool to promote local democracy, strengthen elected institutions and ensure equitable access to services and a fair distribution of resources.
The need for clear terminology was emphasised to differentiate local governance from local administration, along with the need for objective and just resource allocation, and strong oversight for local budgets. While opinions on territorial organisation varied, there was consensus on the need to empower any local governance entities through a gradual approach.
Through these discussions, the Governance Track will produce concrete recommendations to create a conducive environment for elections and address more immediate challenges to strengthen state institutions and undertake needed reforms. By examining and developing policy and legislative proposals to address long-term conflict drivers, the work of the Structured Dialogue aims to build consensus on a national vision that will shape the path to peace and stability.
A committee of 6 members will now begin drafting the recommendations based on the track’s work since December. The full Governance Track will reconvene online later in the month to finalise and validate the outcomes before the conclusion of the Structured Dialogue in June.
