Fathi Bashagha questioned the absence of UN poverty reports. He asked if the situation had improved or if the crisis had worsened. Bashagha stated that five years ago, UN mission publications and statements in Libya rang alarm bells. They warned of an imminent collapse in living standards, economy, and finance. Official data from the mission revealed over two million Libyans lived below the poverty line at that time.
Bashagha noted a decline in discussions about poverty. In a post on his personal Facebook page, he said the reports’ presence has faded in recent years. He added that nothing is now seen or heard addressing the reality and extent of poverty. There is also no mention of the number of Libyans affected or pushed below the poverty line.
Bashagha questioned whether Libyan leaders succeeded in real economic and financial reform over the last five years. Such reform would have improved quality of life. It would have lifted Libyans out of poverty. It would have opened doors to prosperity. Alternatively, he wondered if the UN mission felt awkward with the de facto authorities. He questioned if the crisis had grown into a catastrophe. A catastrophe too severe for reports to even monitor or describe.
In conclusion, Bashagha affirmed Libya’s problem has political, security, and economic dimensions.