UNSMIL Mandate Renewal: Explanation of Vote (Abstention)

Thank you Mr. President

On four occasions: 15th September 2021; 30th September 2021; 31st January 2022; and 29th April 2022, the Security Council has technically rolled over the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya for not longer than three-month periods.

The same has happened today, for the fifth time.

On each of the four previous occasions, we have expressed our deep disappointment at such brief renewals.

Nevertheless, we have voted in the affirmative with the earnest expectation that even in such diminished form, UNSMIL could still provide support to Libya.

What is really required is for the Mission to have a substantial mandate for a period of twelve months plus the appointment of an appropriate African Special Envoy.

Since September last year, this Council has been repeatedly briefed on the crippling effects the short mandates have on the ability of UNSMIL to effectively execute its mandate.

We have heard this from the Secretariat, and from the Representative of Libya. As recently as last Monday, Amb Taher M. El-Sonni lamented the Council's inability to find common purpose in its engagement with Libya.

He observed the frequency of meetings and the lack of follow-up. And how much our frequent conviction that only Libyan-led and owned solutions will work, still require a Security Council that is supportive of progress since the country is under Chapter VII.

This resolution we are voting for, and its three-month mandate for UNSMIL, constitutes yet another disappointment to the people of Libya.

Mr. President,

We appreciate some substantial changes in the resolution, but Kenya believes it is no longer tenable for UNSMIL to operate with such a brief and, therefore, uncertain mandate.

Indeed, the new provisions in the resolution can only be properly implemented with a mandate closer to 12 months.

For this reason, we voted to abstain to signal our dissatisfaction with what is fast becoming a damaging status quo.

We hope that our vote will encourage all Council members to reconsider their positions and agree to a longer mandate when the present three-month mandate expires in October.

We also hope that a Special Envoy from Africa will be selected and appointed during this period so that the longer lasting mandate is implemented properly.

Thank you