Ensuring stability in Libya remains a priority for the United Nations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Hanna Serwaa Tetteh as his Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. With a wealth of international experience, the diplomat is set to play a key role in mediating and finding solutions to the political and security impasse that is paralysing the country. Her background and vision make her a major asset in meeting this major challenge.
Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, a seasoned diplomat from Ghana, is taking over the reins of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSML) as Special Representative of UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Her appointment, announced on 24 January 2025, marks a major step forward in the efforts to stabilise this country in crisis. The new Head of Mission is expected to play a key role in a context marked by profound political and security challenges.
‘I think the most rewarding part of being a senior UN official working in peacebuilding is when you are able to prevent conflict or participate in a process that helps bring peace to people who have been victims of conflict, very important conflict.’
HANNA SERWAA TETTEH, UN Special Representative for Libya – Ghana
Hanna Tetteh succeeds Abdoulaye Bathily from Senegal, who headed the mission until May 2024, and Stéphanie Koury, who acted as interim head. In Libya, she will have to navigate between two rival governments, notably the UN-recognised administration in Tripoli and that of Osama Hammad in Benghazi. This context, marked by political and security tensions, calls for innovative solutions to break the current deadlock. The Arab League welcomed the appointment of Hanna Tetteh as the new United Nations envoy to Libya, expressing its confidence in her abilities and expertise.
‘We live in a world where the factors that trigger conflict and increase fragility are growing by the day, not just on our continent, not just in this region, but in the wider world in which we live. But focusing specifically on this region, I think it’s important for us to use these policy frameworks as tools to see how we can address the challenge of the crisis, the competition for key natural resources, the management of diversity in our region because we’ve seen the consequences of the lack of inclusion in national policy-making efforts and its impact on communities and groups that consider themselves marginalised.’
HANNA SERWAA TETTEH, UN Special Representative for Libya – Ghana
Ghana’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2013 to 2017, Hanna Serwaa Tetteh has also served as UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa and Special Representative to the African Union. She is recognised for her leadership in times of crisis and her commitment to international mediation.