Libya-Analysis got access to the United-States Integrated Country Strategy for Libya, a 10-page document dated 14 august 2018 describing the objectives of the US Mission to Libya.
PART TWO
3. Management Objectives
Mission Goal 1: Libya is governed by a single, internationally recognized authority capable of representing Libyan citizens and partnering with the international community on common security, economic and political interests.
Description and Linkages: As the United Nations-brokered process of political negotiation continues to unfold, the United States will continue to support national-level institutions to govern Libya. This same commitment to representative, effective governance should also be reflected at the local level and U.S. policy will continue to support stability and citizen participation at the municipal and community level.
This goal links to the State/USAID Joint Strategic Plan (JSP) for FY 2018-2022, specifically JSP Objective 1.3: “Counter instability, transnational crime, and violence that threaten U.S. interests by strengthening citizen-responsive governance, security, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.”
Mission Objective 1.1: Libya successfully advances its democratic transition, through the adoption of a constitutional framework that supports the growth of legitimate, accountable government institutions that represent the interests of citizens.
Justification: Libya’s government institutions must be capable of responding to the needs of its, through public service delivery, adopting a constitution, executing credible elections,sound budget planning and transparent budget execution, reliably and transferring funds from central to local governments, providing for national defense and domestic security, and articulating citizen priorities.
This is fundamental to political and the achievement of all other Mission priorities.
Mission Objective 1.2: A broadly inclusive political process secures the buy-in of Libya’s diverse stakeholders for key principles to govern Libya’s transition, including the need for transitional justice and national reconciliation.
Justification: Libyan society is fractured, and intense suspicion and competition exists among cities, tribes, civil society, and within current dueling government institutions. U.S. support must be active in many different regional and functional areas, working to create linkages and instill confidence as Libya works towards durable solutions for national unity.
Mission Objective 1.3: Libyan local stakeholders and communities have enhanced ability to address drivers of instability and conflict.
Justification: If communities have more skills and resources to address the drivers and impacts of conflict, then grievances will be less severe and less exploitable by spoilers, improving prospects for national unity and stability.
Political will to resume normal life exists for most Libyans, and investments in community stabilization can mobilize recovery momentum in other sectors or areas.
Mission Goal 2: Libya develops unified national, civilian-led security and justice institutions better able to protect civilians, counter terrorist groups and violent conflict within its own borders, control the flow of irregular migration, and act as a partner in bilateral, regional and international counterterrorism efforts.
Description and Linkages: Libya remains at the center of U.S. efforts to defeat ISIS and protect U.S. security and economic interests. Security, both short term and long term, remains a critical national security priority for the United States in Libya and the region as well as in support of our governance and transition goals.
Currently, a lack of unified Libyan security and defense bodies and proliferation of localized armed groups are undermining the political reconciliation process, providing ungoverned space for bad actors to both hide and operate.
This goal links to the State/USAID Joint Strategic Plan for FY 2018-2022, specifically:
JSP Objective 1.2: Defeat ISIS, al-Qa’ida and other transnational terrorist organizations, and counter state sponsored, regional, and local terrorist groups that threaten U.S. national security interests; and
JSP Objective 1.4: Increase capacity and strengthen resilience of our partners and allies to deter aggression, coercion, and malign influence by state and non-state actors.
Mission Objective 2.1: Libya develops more professional and effective civilian-led security and justice institutions, capable of securing the country’s territory and borders, containing terrorist networks, and maintaining rule of law and human rights.
Justification: If security and justice institutions increase their professionalism and capacity to carry out critical functions, then they will be better able to counter internal and external threats and reduce the threat of violent escalation of conflict.
In addition to ensuring security and accountability, consolidated security and justice institutions under civilian authority will also create an enabling environment for elections, stabilization, and formation of a unified, inclusive government capable of partnering with the United States in countering terrorism.
Mission Objective 2.2: State security institutions are unified and members of militias and other armed groups are gradually and effectively demobilized or integrated into state security structures accountable to civilian authority.
Justification: Unification of military actors across Libya and government control over non-state armed actors will decrease risks of violent conflict and instability and enable political stabilization. Without militia competition, an empowered Libyan security sector will contribute to long-term stability and the development of effective governance institutions, capable of partnering with the United States and the international community in combating terrorism.
Likewise, eventual disarming, demobilizing and reintegrating (DDR) programs will enable former members of non-state armed actors to transition into formal security positions or normal civilian life.
Mission Goal 3: An improved security, governance and economic environment creates new opportunities for foreign investment, trade and development.
Description and Linkages: This goal links to the State/USAID Joint Strategic Plan for FY 2018-2022, particularly
JSP Objective 2.1: Promote American prosperity by advancing bilateral relationships and leveraging international institutions and agreements to open markets, secure commercial opportunities, and foster investment and innovation to contribute to U.S. job creation; and
JSP Objective 2.3: Advance U.S. economic security by ensuring energy security, combating corruption, and promoting market-oriented economic and governance reforms.
Mission Objective 3.1 Opportunities for licit economic growth and participation increase across Libya.
Justification: If economic participation improves, if economic reforms advance, and if key institutions, including local governments, have more revenue, self-reliance of Libyan institutions and citizens will improve, as will national stability.
Mission Objective 3.2 Libya’s ability to access, secure, and develop its natural resources is improved, resulting in more stable revenues and increased supply to world markets.
Justification: The overwhelming majority of Libya’s revenue derives from hydrocarbons. If this resource can be harnessed effectively to power the country’s development, Libya will move closer to stability and self-sufficiency.
4. Management Objectives
Management Objective 1 Mission facilities and infrastructure support secure diplomatic engagement
Justification: Our needs for facilities and infrastructure are complex as we operate as a tenant in the US Embassy in Tunisia while planning for the safe return of U.S. diplomats to Libya, when conditions allow.
The USG continues to pay $3.6 million in leases for the old embassy compound in Tripoli based in the Sidi Sleem Airport Road area. We lack specific information about the security at this location or reliability of infrastructure to support U.S. diplomatic activities.
The compound remains largely intact and guarded by militias. There are no LE Staff caretakers on-site. An inventory of property and other items left at the compound after the 2014 evacuation has required the renewal of these leases.
Most of the armored vehicles are inoperable and the remaining property (valued around $6 million) should be prepared for disposal by auction, destruction, or abandonment.
LEO Mission operations will require additional staff in Tunis that will deflate eventually as operations reestablish in Libya. As the Tunis office requirements evolve; the management team must work closely with the Embassy Tunis service providers to ensure adequate workspace for staff during all phases.
Management Objective 2 Increased service delivery capacity commensurate with growing diplomatic engagement.
Justification: As the Mission pushes to reestablish a diplomatic presence in Libya, capacity to carry out services in support of engagement activities must also grow. The Mission has 60 Tripoli LE Staff reemployed as caretakers and a cap of 25 USDHs in place. LEO officers work with limited or no support staff and without back-up coverage despite intensifying requirements to meet White House priorities.
Over the next five years, management must continuously review and adjust the organizational requirements as the operations ebb and flow in and out of Libya.
The Mission expects to increase planning for further engagement activities in Libya, requiring human resources to establish secure locations for meetings and eventual overnight shelter.
Engaging on two fronts at times will require more management and support staff.
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