Libya: energy struggle worsens as political instability continues
Since the 19th of August, long blackouts and oil shortages have kept the Libyan population’s life in a state of struggle, in addition to conflict, corruption and political stagnation.
While the Libyan heat still reaches extreme peaks, many people in the region struggle to keep their houses, vehicles and commercial activities cool, according to The New Arab via AFP on August 28th.
An important gas deposit containing 4.5 million litres was attacked by several drones in the region of Zawiya from the 8th to the 11th of August, an area disputed by rival armed groups.
A UN expert said that the origins of the problem lie in political corruption, poor maintenance and weak governance, which caused the failure of internal stability; this means that the crisis for the Libyan population is critical, and it materialises in spoiled food, drought and halted commercial activities.
The country is one of the richest oil reserves of the whole planet, with 48 billion barrels in reserves, and produces 1.5 million barrels per day. According to the National Oil Corporation, it produces just a third of the fuel it needs for internal consumption.
Libya is politically unstable, especially after the 2011 coup d’état and the subsequent fall of the Gaddafi regime in 2011. Currently, just two administrations are contending for control of the nation: the government based in Tripoli and recognised by the United Nations, and the Benghazi organization, a militia led by military leader Khalifa Haftar.
The international relations researcher Bechir Jouini said to AFP, “Libya produces less energy than it needs during peak periods; the electricity crisis and the fuel deficiency are complex because the country is an oil producer but it is only sustained by exports”. He also officially confirmed that bad governance and corruption helped the growth of the crisis.
In addition, the UN envoy Hanna Tetteh commented on the situation. Tetteh said: “The recent blackouts and the discontent of the population brought to light institutional fragmentation, misappropriation of public resources and lack of investment; all of these things are the final results of failed governance.”
Looking ahead, the scenario could get worse if the government and the UN do not collaborate on better management of the deposits.
The New Arab via AFP, Maghrebi.org
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
