Libya - May 2025

On 13 May, heavy fighting broke out in Tripoli between rival armed groups associated with different parts of the Government of National Unity (GNU), one of Libya’s two competing administrations. The clashes started after a leader of an armed group was killed, escalating tensions between the different armed groups. At least eight civilians were killed during the clashes, which took place in residential areas and involved heavy weapons. A ceasefire was reached the next day. On 16 May, thousands of people began protesting against the GNU, calling for the dismantling of armed militias that have become entrenched in the state. Demonstrations continued weekly throughout the month, and amid mounting public pressure, three cabinet ministers resigned.

Sources: Middle East Eye, Reuters, Libya Observer, Arab News, Human Rights Watch, Libya Review, New Lines Magazine

On 12 May, the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) accepted the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) jurisdiction over crimes committed in Libya between 2011 and 2027. This move took place under Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute, which allows non-member states to accept the Court’s authority for specific cases or periods, and transforms Libya’s cooperation with the ICC from a United Nations Security Council mandate (stemming from a 2011 referral of the Libyan situation), into a direct legal obligation under the Rome Statute. The declaration obligates Libya to surrender suspects, share evidence, support investigations, and protect victims and witnesses, enabling prosecution of war crimes and crimes against humanity. However, these obligations have yet to translate into practice, as cooperation to date is limited and key suspects have not been surrendered.

Sources: International Criminal Court, Libya Crimes Watch, The Libya Observer, The New Arab, International Commission of Jurists