In Libya’s capital, Tripoli, hundreds of demonstrators blocked vital roads and disrupted operations at the Mellitah Oil and Gas complex. These actions came in response to widespread frustration over 14-hour daily power cuts, even as the country remains a major oil producer. A severe heat wave has pushed temperatures to over 122 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the nation. Young people, in particular, see these blackouts as a symbol of government negligence and corruption.
The protests began in western Libya and quickly spread. Protesters chanted slogans like, “The people want justice that punishes those who squander the people’s money,” and “Electricity—where have the billions gone?” These demands went beyond electricity and extended to both the rival eastern and western governments. Demonstrators clearly want accountability from all sides of the political divide.
Protesters temporarily closed several branches of the Central Bank and disrupted government operations by using trucks filled with rubble to block entrances. According to the Libya Herald, the state television channel and state-run telecommunications company were also affected. These actions highlight the demonstrators' anger and their attempts to disrupt government functions.
Tunisia's Resentment Boils Over
On Saturday, thousands of Tunisians gathered in the capital, Tunis, to mark five years since President Kais Saied took emergency powers. In July 2021, Saied suspended parliament and began ruling by decree, claiming to combat corruption and inefficiency among other politicians. Over the past two weeks, temperatures have regularly exceeded 120 degrees Fahrenheit, worsening public conditions. The Organisation of Young Doctors in Tunisia reported that at least 150 to 200 people have died from heat-related causes since power cuts began on July 12.
The heat wave triggered over 900 wildfires across the country in just three days. Protests intensified after Haifa Chebbi, the daughter of jailed opposition leader Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, shared a video on Facebook detailing the inhumane conditions in prison for her father, uncle, and others. She revealed that Rached Ghannouchi, an 85-year-old opposition leader, had collapsed in detention due to the heat. Chebbi’s video brought international attention to the situation and amplified the anger of Tunisians demanding reform.
The protests in both Libya and Tunisia reflect years of mismanagement and economic decline. Libya, still recovering from the 2011 civil war, faces severe economic challenges, including the mismanagement of oil revenues and rising public debt. Youth unemployment remains a major issue, and basic services like electricity and water have deteriorated. The power crisis has only deepened existing frustrations.
In a recent article published in Nawaat, Ikram Ben Said argued that the power outages in Tunisia show that concentrating too much power in the hands of one leader does not solve the country’s problems. “The outage underway this summer demonstrates that concentrated executive rule has not, and structurally cannot, fix Tunisia’s basic services,” she wrote. Her words reflect a growing sentiment among many Tunisians who feel that Saied’s leadership has failed them.
Despite the size of the protests, no major political changes have occurred in either country. However, rising oil and commodity prices due to the war in Iran are expected to further strain already struggling economies and increase public dissatisfaction. As prices climb, pressure on governments to deliver essential services will likely grow.
Governments across Africa are already cracking down on dissent before protests can even begin. In Tanzania, for example, nearly 200 people were arrested in connection with a banned protest planned for July 7. Of those detained, 51 were opposition members who had not even reached the protest site. This preemptive action shows how some governments are trying to prevent unrest by restricting peaceful assembly.