Protests in Libya’s Oil Crescent region have disrupted oil operations at the Es Sidra port, one of the country’s major oil terminals. On Tuesday, demonstrators blocked a tanker from loading oil, citing longstanding grievances over regional development.
According to two engineers at the port, the protesters have demanded that several oil company headquarters be relocated to the Oil Crescent region. This move, they argue, is essential for ensuring fair and balanced development, aiming to improve the living conditions of local communities.
In a statement to the National Oil Corporation, the protesters reiterated their call for equitable resource distribution, stressing that their actions are driven by the desire to address years of neglect and underdevelopment in their region.
This is not the first time protests have disrupted Libya’s vital oil sector. Last January, similar demonstrations led to the shutdown of production at the Sharara oilfield, highlighting the deep-seated tensions within the country’s oil-producing regions.
The latest disruption raises concerns about the ongoing stability of Libya’s oil operations, which are central to the country’s economy, and underscores the need for a resolution to the grievances of local communities in the oil-rich regions.