UNSMIL Hosts Meeting on Disarmament and Reintegration Efforts to Support Libya's Peace Process

The session reinforced the commitment of UNSMIL and the international community to supporting Libya's peace process and fostering sustainable solutions for conflict prevention and social cohesion.

In a working group meeting held on Monday, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) convened Libyan institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners to address the challenges and opportunities surrounding disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) efforts. The session reinforced the commitment of UNSMIL and the international community to supporting Libya's peace process and fostering sustainable solutions for conflict prevention and social cohesion.

Role of Civil Society in Human Rights Advocacy

Civil society activists, particularly from Libya’s southern and eastern regions, stressed their pivotal role in advocating for human rights. Participants urged authorities to:

Actively monitor human rights violations.

Address the specific needs of diverse local communities to reduce tensions.

Collaborate with civil society to build trust and foster national unity.

Government Initiatives for Reintegration

Representatives from the Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Defence highlighted several ongoing government initiatives aimed at reintegrating former combatants into civilian life, including:

Economic Support: Providing employment opportunities through vocational training and job creation programs.

Youth and Women Empowerment: Introducing tailored programs to support young people and women, ensuring their reintegration into society and boosting their leadership capacities.

These efforts are aligned with UN Women’s initiatives, which focus on enhancing women’s leadership roles and addressing their unique needs in DDR programs.

Focus on Child Protection

Participants also underscored the importance of protecting children in armed conflict, following a recent UNICEF-led workshop. Key points included:

Preventing the recruitment of children into armed groups.

Prioritizing the needs of children in conflict resolution and reintegration programs.

Expanding access to education and mental health services to help affected children rebuild their lives.

UNICEF representatives called for stronger safeguards to prevent further exploitation of children and highlighted the importance of addressing the root causes that make children vulnerable to recruitment.

Building a Collaborative Approach to DDR

The meeting emphasized the need for an inclusive and collaborative approach to DDR, involving diverse stakeholders across Libya. UNSMIL reiterated its role in:

Facilitating dialogue among Libyan stakeholders.

Promoting trust-building measures to prevent conflict.

Supporting socioeconomic reintegration as a cornerstone of sustainable peace.

Strengthening International and Local Partnerships

International representatives pledged to continue supporting Libyan-led DDR efforts through funding, capacity-building programs, and technical expertise. Local communities were encouraged to participate actively in decision-making processes to ensure solutions are tailored to the specific needs of Libya’s diverse population.

Looking Forward

The session concluded with a renewed commitment to the peace process, focusing on the reintegration of marginalized groups and the protection of vulnerable populations. UNSMIL and its partners highlighted the importance of addressing the socioeconomic factors driving conflict, ensuring that DDR efforts not only disarm and demobilize combatants but also provide them with opportunities to contribute positively to society.

This initiative is expected to play a critical role in fostering lasting peace, reducing tensions, and promoting unity across Libya.