For the third Friday in a row, massive crowds have taken to the streets of Libya’s capital, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbaiba and the dissolution of his Government of National Unity.
The protests, now entering their third week, have become one of the most sustained and serious challenges to the current leadership since it came to power in 2021.
Thousands of protesters gathered in Tripoli’s Martyrs’ Square waving red cards, a symbolic demand for the government to step down, and chanting slogans such as “The people want the fall of the government.” The demonstrators accuse Dbaiba of failing to deliver on his promises to improve security, fight corruption, and lead the country to elections after years of political division.
The latest wave of anger was sparked by the killing of militia leader Abdulghani al-Kikli, known as “Ghneiwa,” in mid-May. The incident led to violent clashes among rival armed groups after Dbaiba suddenly dissolved the Stability Support Apparatus, which Ghneiwa had headed. The resulting chaos revealed how deeply militias still control large parts of the capital and how little authority the civilian government actually holds.
In a televised address, Dbaiba called the violence a “shared mistake” and blamed the ongoing instability on rogue armed factions. However, many Libyans saw his words as weak and evasive. Fueling further outrage are revelations that cancer medication was imported from Iraq under pressure from militias—an admission made by Dbaiba himself, which has raised new questions about corruption and government complicity.
What began in Tripoli has now spread to other cities, including Misrata, Zawiya, Sabratha, and Surman. Misrata, Dbaiba’s hometown, witnessed significant protests last week, signaling that dissatisfaction is not limited to the capital. At the same time, several government ministers have resigned, suggesting that Dbaiba is losing support from within his own administration.
As the protests grow in size and scope, Libya’s House of Representatives has moved to form a new unified government. Lawmakers met in Benghazi this week to hear proposals from 12 candidates vying to lead the next phase of the country’s political transition. Whether this move will calm public anger or further deepen divisions remains to be seen.
What is clear is that Libya is at a political crossroads. With the public demanding change and institutions showing signs of fracture, the coming weeks may determine whether Dbaiba can cling to power or if the protest movement marks the end of his leadership.
