In the heart of Tripoli, Libya, a growing wave of civil disobedience is reshaping the political landscape as citizens unite against chronic power outages and rising electricity costs. This grassroots movement underscores the intertwined challenges of governance and daily life in Libya, drawing attention to the urgent need for accountability and reforms within the nation’s political framework.
Protesters in Libya’s capital, Tripoli, have taken to the streets, shutting down roads and public buildings as part of a civil disobedience campaign triggered by persistent power cuts and soaring electricity rates. The discontent, which began with small demonstrations, has since expanded to affect multiple districts, indicating a widespread frustration among the population regarding deteriorating public services.
On Sunday, demonstrators blocked the coastal road in Janzour, a western suburb, while others gathered outside the West Tripoli power station, demanding action against the ongoing outages. Their efforts included shutting down local government buildings and engaging in symbolic protests, such as burning tires late into the night. Video footage verified by ZezapTV captured these activities, further highlighting the protesters’ resolve.
Among the sites of protest was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Sater Turba district, where activists unloaded a truck filled with dirt in a bold attempt to close the building. Additionally, protesters targeted the state telecommunications operator Libyana in the Souq Al-Jumaa district, brandishing banners that criticized Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah’s administration.
The movement, initiated by the Souq Al-Jumaa Movement, has been vocal against the Government of National Unity since May 2025. In a statement, the group declared its intention not just to disrupt everyday life but to “completely paralyze the government” and halt the continuous political strife that hampers progress. They are calling for accountability regarding alleged corruption and the dissolution of Libya’s current political institutions, including the government and legislative bodies.
Support for the protests seems to be growing. In the Tajoura district, the Tajoura Families and Youth Movement announced plans for a complete boycott of state institutions starting Monday, further rejecting both the unity government and the House of Representatives. Their protests are rooted in grievances over the deteriorating quality of essential services such as electricity, water, education, and healthcare, compounded by a persistent fuel and liquidity crisis. Activists accuse officials of being distracted by political conflicts, neglecting the pressing needs of the populace.
In recent weeks, blackouts in Tripoli and other regions have escalated to nearly ten hours a day, prompting the state-run General Electricity Company to reintroduce load-shedding measures after two years of relative stability. These outages have only intensified public frustration, which is already fueled by rampant inflation, currency instability, and a prolonged political deadlock.
In an unrelated context, Massad Boulos, the White House adviser for African affairs, characterized a recent conversation with Prime Minister Dbeibah as “productive.” They discussed measures aimed at fostering Libyan unity, including enhancing security cooperation between the country’s various factions. Boulos expressed the United States’ continued commitment to support Libya’s unification efforts, emphasizing the importance of achieving lasting peace, stability, and prosperity.
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