On 30 September, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) voted unanimously to extend the mandate of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until 31 January 2022. The date is meant to keep the mission in place until elections scheduled for 24 December have concluded. However, the UNSC remained divided over two issues: the withdrawal of foreign troops and mercenaries from Libya and the relocation of the UNSMIL head to Tripoli.Under Resolution 2542 (2020) which extended UNSMIL’s mandate until 15 September 2021, a dual leadership structure for UNSMIL was approved. This saw the SRSG and head of mission based outside Libya, with a 'coordinator' in Libya to oversee the regular operations of the mission. However, the recent Independent Strategic Review of UNSMIL (document S/2021/716), stated that the situation on the ground has changed since the Mission’s mandate was last renewed. Among other things, it recommended that a single person should lead the mission and that the Head of Mission should be relocated to Tripoli to engage with Libyan stakeholders following the 23 October 2020 ceasefire agreement.On 15 September, the UNSC approved a 'technical rollover' of the mission's mandate until 30 September to allow additional time for negotiations due to Russian refusal to approve language relating to the withdrawal of foreign troops and mercenaries, and the role of the mission's head. Reports claimed Russia had circulated its own draft resolution for renewing the UNSMIL mandate, calling for respect for the ceasefire ‘including through synchronized, parallel, balanced and phased withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya, bearing in mind the necessity to maintain ceasefire.’ The Russian draft renews the UNSMIL mandate for one year, but unlike the pen holders' draft submitted by the United Kingdom, it does not mention the need for member states to comply with the arms embargo imposed on Libya. The proposed relocation of the head of mission to Tripoli was reportedly supported by the United States but opposed by Russia.Russia's veto is more about using its seat at the UNSC to project an image of being a ‘Great Power’ in Africa and to undermine the US, rather than specifically undermining UNSMIL activities. UNSMIL’s role and leadership structure is unlikely to significantly change before the planned election date in December, as any change at this stage would risk derailing the process. However, when its mandate comes up for renewal on 31 January, significant changes could occur which are likely to focus on bringing UNSMIL ‘under one roof’ with its base of operations in Tripoli and assigning a key senior UNSMIL member other than current UNSMIL head Jan Kubis as the main interlocutor with Libyan stakeholders. Kubis is unlikely to resign until someone is appointed to fill his position or an acting envoy is assigned.
UN Security Council extends UNSMIL mandate for three months