Libya security, energy, and water crisis

Libya is experiencing a compounding crisis involving political instability, security threats, and severe resource shortages. United Nations officials and Security Council members have warned that armed groups competing over human trafficking and fuel smuggling, alongside drone attacks on critical infrastructure like the Zawia oil refinery, have significantly impacted electricity capacity.

The nation faces acute energy and water insecurity. Despite possessing large oil reserves, Libya produces only about one-third of the fuel required for domestic consumption, leading to massive import costs and frequent power outages. Extreme summer temperatures approaching 50°C have further strained the system, causing food spoilage and business disruptions. Additionally, worsening water scarcity and the degradation of the Great Man-Made River infrastructure threaten national stability.

These challenges are underpinned by a decade of political division between the Tripoli-based government and the administration in Benghazi, as well as issues regarding corruption, weak governance, and inadequate maintenance of essential utilities.