Libyans Denounce ‘Double Standards’ in Rolling Blackouts

Libyans across the country are enduring lengthy daily power outages, sparking widespread frustration and protests, particularly in western cities. Residents describe the situation as "hell," with temperatures soaring above 45°C in some areas, exacerbating the hardship caused by the frequent blackouts. The disruptions have significantly impacted daily life and even affected the operation of the Great Man-Made River, Libya's primary water supply network.

Demonstrators have taken to the streets, burning tires and blocking roads to protest what they perceive as unfair "double standards" in how electricity cuts are distributed among cities. In Tajoura, east of Tripoli, residents threatened further action if recurring outages and unequal load shedding persist. Similar protests have occurred in the Abu Salim district of the capital, and social media reports indicate blockades at the eastern entrance to Tripoli.

The electricity crisis has crippled key infrastructure, including the Great Man-Made River project, which reported 143 wells out of service after a power plant unit shut down. Speaker of the House of Representatives Aguila Saleh and head of the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund Belqasim Haftar have discussed the crisis, emphasizing the need for urgent measures to stabilize power supply and ease the burden on citizens.

Libya's electricity grid has recently experienced near-total collapse, with significant reductions in generating capacity. In response, Egypt has resumed electricity exports to Libya after the North African nation settled approximately $100 million in overdue bills. An agreement is in place to clear the remaining $41 million by the end of 2026, ensuring continued power flows. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has also instructed officials to investigate the crisis and develop solutions to alleviate public suffering.

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The constant loss of electricity had turned their lives into 'hell'