TRIPOLI – Members of the Structured Dialogue’s Security Track met during April 13-16 with institutional representatives, civil society and external expert guests to discuss how a sequenced security sector reform and governance approach could lead to implementable recommendations for the sector.
Across the four days, discussions focused on defence and law enforcement governance, border security, legislative oversight and the crucial role of civil society in monitoring and accountability. Members consistently highlighted the absence of a national security strategy and unified military doctrine as a foundational weakness which contributes to the current instability. They emphasized the need to translate the principles and ideas from the in-depth discussions and expert consultations into actionable pathways for implementation.
“It is clear from the survey data and our in-person discussions with Libyan citizens across the country, that security is crucial to ensuring that all citizens can live in a peaceful and prosperous country not marred by arbitrary violence, illicit trade, weapons proliferation and instability,” said Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General, Political, Stephanie Koury, who joined the discussions throughout the week. “Securing the borders of Libya and ensuring that all citizens feel safe and able to participate in civic life, is crucial to sustainable peace and stability in Libya long term.”
During the week’s discussions, members identified border security, a key area of national security and a critical vulnerability in Libya, as an area where trust could be built through consensus-based reforms. Libya’s porous borders, as well as a fragmented security landscape, enable transnational criminality and proliferation of weapons and armed groups. Members agreed with the need for a unified border security approach to mitigate these multiple challenges.
UNSMIL also shared with track members the results of the “Have Your Say” survey, which gathered responses from approximately 6,000 participants, with a particular focus on the security track and findings derived from various polls and public engagement efforts. These outreach initiatives aim to ground the dialogue in lived realities. By drawing on data from thousands of Libyans, as well as consultations with civil society, the Mission seeks to ensure that the technical proposals presented to Structured Dialogue members across the four tracks are reflective of the needs and priorities of the population.
The survey findings reinforce a divided public perception of security. Roughly half of respondents report feeling only “somewhat safe,” while a smaller share—around one quarter—say they feel genuinely secure. In contrast, close to one third express clear dissatisfaction, citing crime and weak enforcement. Trust in institutions also appears limited, with fewer than 40 per cent expressing confidence in security providers. These figures suggest that while visible measures may reassure some, a majority still perceive gaps in effectiveness, consistency, and accountability, keeping overall public confidence relatively low.
Representatives from civil society presented members with their ideas for reform and reaffirmed their willingness to act as essential partners in the monitoring in areas such as human rights and confidence-building with the larger public. They highlighted that many civil society organisations were being prevented from operating in the current context, and that the role of civil society working in partnerships with authorities should be institutionalized across the country.
Two youth communication team volunteers from Benghazi and Tripoli also joined the meetings as observers on the afternoon of the third day. They met with UNSMIL leadership and members of the Structured Dialogue to interview them on disarmament and reunification issues and will be producing content for the Digital Youth Platform.
The work of the Security Track aligns with UNSMIL’s mandate to use its good offices to facilitate an inclusive, Libyan-owned and Libyan-led political process, and to advance consensus on governance arrangements toward elections and long-term stability. They will meet again in May to finalize their recommendations.
The Structured Dialogue is not a decision-making body for the selection of a government but rather explores concrete recommendations to create a conducive environment for elections and address more immediate governance, economic, security and national reconciliation and human rights challenges to strengthen state institutions and 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.
