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Libyan General Elections 2021: Discussion Series with Libyan Leaders

A Conversation with Fadel Lamen

Date: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 / Time: 8:30am - 9:30am EST

Center: Middle East North Africa Center

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Following a decade of war and rifts in Libya, a U.N.-facilitated dialogue led to the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in March 2021. The GNU has been tasked with leading the country toward long-awaited presidential and parliamentary elections commencing this December — elections that are crucial to Libya’s transition and could facilitate further governmental unification, community reconciliation, economic recovery and the basis for rule of law and good governance. 

While the GNU has taken significant steps to arrange elections, it still faces numerous challenges related to the presence of external military powers, conflicting interests among Libyan politicians and armed groups, economic and health problems, and sporadic violence. Libyan leaders that view the elections as a means for change in the country and as a path toward a representative political system face complex impediments that require a consultative and inclusive approach that fosters long-term stability and security in Libya. 

On November 2, USIP held the second in a series of public discussions with Libyan leaders connected to the elections scheduled in the coming months. These events dove into complex questions regarding efforts to prevent electoral violence, the electoral process itself and leaders’ visions for restoring peace and stability in Libya. 

This second event featured Fadel Lamen, who most recently served as director-general of the Libyan National Economic and Social Development Board. He is the founder of Afaak Al-Watan, a new Libyan political party with a future-focused agenda aiming to empower youth and women as critical contributors. Lamen is also an architect of the Libyan Political Agreement, which is currently governing Libya’s transition under U.N. Security Council resolutions. 

Continue the conversation on Twitter with #LibyaElectionsUSIP. Watch the first event in the series, a conversation with Fathi Bashagha, here.

Speakers

Fadel Lamen
Founder, Afaak Al-Watan

Mike Yaffe, moderator
Vice President, Middle East and North Africa Center, U.S. Institute of Peace

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