Following a period of severe turmoil endured by residents of the capital, Tripoli, marked by security tensions that resulted in casualties and injuries, and the subsequent eruption of widespread popular protests across various districts demanding the downfall of the Government of National Unity and the departure of its head, Abdul Hamid Dabaiba, a wave of ministerial resignations has further compounded the crisis. Officials, parliamentarians, and human rights advocates now contend that the Dabaiba government will not endure in the face of these escalating pressures.
‘The Uprising Will Not Halt; It Will Continue’
In response to the recent clashes in Tripoli, House of Representatives member Ali Al-Tekbali issued an urgent appeal to all Libyan cities to stage broad demonstrations against the current government. Al-Tekbali accused the government of having “devoured the people, stolen their money, and attacked peaceful demonstrators who had taken to the streets to demand their rights and express their opinions.”
Al-Tekbali further declared in a televised statement that “the uprising will not halt; it will continue,” asserting that the Head of the Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dabaiba, “must depart before he meets his inevitable end,” as he put it. Al-Tekbali stressed the imperative for the international community to recognise that “the Libyan people do not want Dabaiba ” and that “the attempts of some countries to keep him in power will be futile.”
Presidential Council Urged to Act and Make Decisive Decisions
For his part, human rights advocate Abdul Hafiz Ghoga opined that Dabaiba is unlikely to heed the protesters’ demands, given his apparent disregard for them in recent days. Ghoga suggested in a press interview that “the Dabaiba government has fallen by popular referendum,” and consequently, “he will not return as Head of Government,” especially amidst the continuous resignations of his cabinet members. “No one remains in the government but Dabaiba, and thus the government is now paralysed; there is no government,” Ghoga stated. He added: “The only solution is for the Presidential council, which is part of the executive authority, to act and make important decisions in the interim, to overcome any internal disputes within the council, and for the three members to agree on dismissing this government. The Presidential council should then temporarily manage government affairs until a crisis ministry is formed in coordination with the UN Mission in Libya, thereby paving the way for a political solution.”
Dabaiba: The Foremost Supporter of Armed Groups
In a related context, Abdul Salam Al-Quraitli, spokesperson for the Voice of the People Party, stated that ” Dabaiba has granted armed groups more legitimacy and broader powers than previous governments.” Al-Quraitli revealed in a televised statement that his party would issue a communiqué demanding a sit-in in front of the United Nations Mission, considering it “part of the problem.”
Dabaiba Will Face Difficulty in Remaining
Meanwhile, Sanusi Ismail, former spokesperson for the high council of state, commented that ” Dabaiba will face difficulty in continuing in his position after the events in Tripoli,” confirming that demonstrators are demanding Dabaiba ‘s resignation. Ismail indicated in a statement that ” Dabaiba is the main supporter of armed groups and is the one who granted them extensive powers, sharing ministries and companies with them.” He added that “the issue is a struggle for influence, and Dabaiba had no choice but to remove Ghaniwa,” according to his statement.
‘He Whom the Tripoli Street Angers Cannot Govern Tripoli’
Journalist Mohamed Baayou declared that “he whom the Tripoli street angers or despises cannot govern Tripoli, nor govern from Tripoli, nor work or reside there, or even visit it.” He added in a post on his official Facebook page: “This is an absolute truth known to those with reason, and ignored or overlooked by the foolish and ignorant Dabaiba trio.” He continued: “Tripoli has become angry with, despised, and rejected the authority and dominance of the Dabaiba family, its followers, and its hangers-on, and the matter is concluded. It is only a matter of time, which will not be long, until the rule of this gang, which has wreaked havoc in the country, destroyed the economy, and shattered people’s livelihoods, ends, falls, and vanishes.” Baayou further stated in his post: “Yesterday’s Friday of Rage against Dabaiba witnessed the largest revolutionary opposition gathering in the history of Tripoli, and the most cohesive and powerful. For the first time, all the people of Tripoli’s areas, its surroundings, and its belt participated in the popular demonstration, in a unified stance and a clear message to the world that softly occupies us, brutally governs us, and has installed over us, through deception, bribes, and betrayals, the worst authority and the most despicable government.