Libya protests escalate amid worsening energy crisis

Growing anger over prolonged power cuts has fuelled a wave of demonstrations and roadblocks across western Libya, with young protesters blocking roads, burning tyres and debris, and targeting government buildings in several cities.

Protests spread across Tripoli, Bani Walid, Zawia and Zanzour, with demonstrations reported in areas across western Libya, as reported by the Libya Herald on July 27. In the capital, burning barricades caused severe traffic congestion and led to the temporary closure of parts of the Corniche and the Second Ring Road, protesters have called for the resignation of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and the dissolution of the UN-backed Government of National Unity.

The Souq Al-Jumaa Movement had previously stressed that its campaign in Tripoli would remain peaceful and orderly, with no roads blocked, citizens targeted or private property damaged. However, the demonstrations that followed have not reflected those assurances, with protesters blocking roads and burning tyres and debris across Tripoli and other parts of western Libya.

Protesters also dumped trucks of soil and rubble outside government buildings, including the Foreign Ministry, state television channel and the state Telecoms Holding Company. The Alwataniya state television channel was criticised for failing to cover the demonstrations, while the Audit Bureau and Ministry of Transport were blockaded in an attempt to prevent employees from entering.

The recent protests come at a time when the international spotlight is once again shining on Libya. On July 27 a US congressional delegation arrived in the country for meetings with security officials from both eastern and western Libya, as reported by The Geopolitical Desk. With protests spreading across the country, further significance has been added to the visit by the US delegation.

The protests were initially driven by power cuts that reportedly lasted more than 12 hours in some areas. However, the demonstrators’ demands have broadened to include calls for the removal of General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) head, improved living conditions and governance, greater accountability over corruption and public spending, and the removal of the Abdul Hamid Dbeibah government and other major power centres.

The protests are now worsening the energy security crisis in Libya, after gas lines feeding power plants from the Mellitah complex were shut down, threatening the stability of Libya’s electrical network and raising the possibility of widespread blackouts, as reported by Ean Libya on July 28.

The Government of National Unity has instructed the Ministry of Defence and General Staff to secure the complex by force, restore the gas lines and resume supplies to power plants, warning that disruption to vital energy infrastructure poses a direct threat to national security and citizens’ daily lives.

The protesters have also called for a nationwide civil disobedience campaign.

Security was increased around the Prime Minister’s Office amid concerns that “infiltrators” could attempt to exploit the demonstrations for a politically motivated coup.

Meanwhile, GECOL has continued to announce that additional generation capacity will come online “soon”, including the new 1,350-megawatt Tripoli South Power Station.

Libya Herald, The Geopolitical Desk, Ean Libya, Maghrebi.org