Russia Concerned Over Libya Envoy Appointment

The Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, expressed his deep concern regarding the selection process of the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Hannah Serwaa Tetteh.
In a letter addressed to the President of the Security Council, Nebenzya explained that the Secretary-General informed the Council of Tetteh’s candidacy at the last minute without prior consultations with Council members. This creates the impression of a fake deadline and limits the delegations’ ability to thoroughly examine the appointment.
Nebenzya pointed out that these steps were taken without consulting the Libyan side or obtaining their explicit consent, which contradicts established Council procedures. This omission could negatively impact cooperation between the involved parties and undermine trust in the Secretary-General’s appointments.
Nebenzya noted that the mandate of UNSMIL will expire on January 31, 2025, unless a new SRSG is appointed, according to Security Council Resolution 2755 (2024). He called for greater transparency in the selection process, including information on other candidates considered and the reasons for their exclusion.
Nebenzya concluded his letter by requesting its circulation as an official document of the Security Council, stressing the importance of transparency in the appointment process to enable members to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.