The Tebu expressed concern about their limited representation in political institutions during their meeting with Khoury.

Tripoli, August 27, 2025 (LANA) – Representatives of the Tebu community expressed concern about the limited representation of the Tebu in political institutions, both at the local and national levels, and called for strengthening their political participation and representation in decision-making structures.

This came during a meeting on Monday between the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ms. Stephanie Khoury, and a (12)-member Tebu delegation, including political, legal, and tribal figures, members of social councils, representatives of youth and women, and civil society activists. This was a clear expression of the Tebu community's engagement in efforts to shape Libya's future.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) reported on its official page that Khoury reviewed the key points of the political roadmap during the meeting, which was held on Monday. The roadmap aims to lead the country toward holding national elections and unifying institutions, as two pivotal steps toward concluding the transitional phase.

Khoury also addressed the structured dialogue aimed at addressing priority policies in the areas of economy, security, governance, and reconciliation, emphasizing the need for all cultural components to participate effectively in the political process, and that every Libyan must feel part of the future of this country.

For their part, the delegation members expressed their views on the future of the political process and discussed issues related to the organization of elections and the need to complete the constitution as part of efforts to end the transitional phase in Libya. They emphasized the importance of involving all components in the political process.

The mission quoted one of the speakers during the meeting as saying, "Our representation is not a privilege, but a fundamental right and an integral part of any fair and inclusive political process," proposing the establishment of an effective communication and coordination mechanism between the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the Tebu community.

A civil society representative said, "There must be a clear space for cultural components in Libya." We ask the United Nations to support us in opening this door.

According to the mission's publication, the participants stressed the importance of ensuring the effective participation of cultural components in the constitutional, electoral, and institutional processes, while emphasizing the need to integrate these components into the national political dialogue.

The mission noted that one of the participants delivered a speech at the end of the meeting in the Tebu dialect, highlighting the richness and diversity of Libya's cultural fabric. Khoury expressed her desire to visit the communities in the south again to listen directly to their residents and understand their priorities and needs.

...(LANA)...