As of April 2019, Libya had seen an open and protracted military confrontation between forces loyal to General Haftar and forces affiliated with the Government of National Accord (GNA). Ongoing hostilities were situated within a broader set of long-standing conflicts in Libyan society - which have had a specific impact on women and girls - relating to the distribution of power and resources, economic interests, identity and regional divisions.
The shifting operational environment resulting from General Haftar’s offensives required the Mission to strengthen its analytical capacities to support early warning and preventive engagement by the Mission leadership.
While field-based research is pivotal to strengthening UN Missions' analytical capacities, international access to the field is becoming increasingly difficult. This highlights the need for close cooperation with local researchers and analysts including youth and women. Considering limited research capacity in Libya, training and mentoring of junior analysts including women had been an integral part of the project. In the medium and long-term, increasing Libyan capacity for policy-relevant research, available to national and international decision-makers, will contribute to a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned inclusive political process.
Project outcomes:
- Strengthened UNSMIL early warning, research and analytical capacities regarding threats to mandate implementation, as well as opportunities.
- Produced policy research and analysis capacities of home-based junior Libyan analysts to support a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned inclusive political process.