A civil disobedience campaign calling for the departure of Libya’s Tripoli-based Government of National Unity expanded across western Libya on Monday, with protesters closing government offices, energy facilities and roads amid growing anger over living conditions and political deadlock.
Protesters began blocking government institutions and public facilities on Sunday, pledging to continue the campaign under the slogan of paralysing the government. Demonstrations were reported in Tripoli and several other western cities.
In the capital, protesters linked to the Souq Al Juma community movement closed the Foreign Ministry and other government institutions. The campaign called on employees not to reopen the facilities as part of efforts to pressure authorities to end the government’s mandate.
Protesters also shut the Ministry of Youth, while roads and major intersections were blocked, causing traffic disruption.
The protests extended to the western city of Zawiya, where a local movement called for work to be suspended at public institutions and service facilities, while exempting hospitals, medical centres and emergency services. Protesters demanded accountability for corruption and alleged mismanagement.
In Tajoura, residents and young people held a demonstration and announced a civil disobedience campaign, rejecting both the Tripoli-based government and the eastern authorities. They cited deteriorating electricity, water, education and healthcare services, as well as fuel shortages, cash shortages and difficulties obtaining medicines.
The Mellitah oil and gas complex was also closed by protesters on Monday, adding pressure to the country’s energy sector.
In Bani Walid, demonstrators gathered outside the local electricity distribution office, demanding a permanent solution to power cuts and calling for greater consideration for children, patients, nurseries and people with special needs during load shedding.
The protests have also raised broader political demands, including presidential and parliamentary elections, accountability for corruption and improvements to basic services, particularly electricity, healthcare and security.
Libya has remained politically divided for more than 15 years, with rival institutions still struggling to agree on a constitutional framework and electoral laws needed to hold nationwide elections.
