August 3rd 2023
On August 4th 2020, the Lebanese capital Beirut was shocked and dismayed by the
world’s largest non-nuclear blast that killed more than 220 innocent lives and injured over 6500.
Incompetence, lack of good governance and lack of accountability are some of many words used to
describe the Beirut implosion. The blast perhaps can also be described as a
foreshadow; warning of future events that unraveled the following months.
Faced with the worst economic crises globally since the mid 19th century, Lebanese
struggle to survive on dwindling funds and basic state services. The current situation although
unbearable for many, draws similarities to its ravaging civil war from 1975-1990.
Prior to the civil war in 1974 the Lebanese per capita income was roughly $1800 USD. In 1989 it
fell to a mere $500 USD. Lebanon fell in the ranks of middle income countries to least
developed countries. An elongated civil war, damaged infrastructure, foreign interventions
were just some of the causes for Lebanon’s crisis. Today’s Crisis can be attributed (but not
limited) to the following:
- Large public debt in foreign currency
- High debt servicing
- High imports and low export volumes
- Influx of 1.5 million refugees
- Limited manufacturing
- Political wrangling
- Rampant corruption that conspired against depositors
- Deepening confessional divides, Clientelist state
- Failure to provide reliable electricity and other basic state services
- Massive exodus of skilled talent and brain drain.
As Lebanon did many times before, it WILL and CAN rebuild. The resiliency of its citizens
to overcome the hardest days, is a testament of its people. The momentum of the October 17th
revolution needs to be revived once again, its citizens from all stripes need to demand change.
Change from leadership that has cemented its power and influence since post-civil war.
In 2022 a low voter turnout of 49% came out and voted alongside diaspora voters.
13/128 Members of Parliament were independent, an astonishing breakthrough. Reflecting the
publics anger towards economic collapse and lack of accountability. The momentum is there,
it’s time to remove the old political elite that has repeatedly failed Lebanon and tumbled it
towards a failed state. Time for rejuvenation with a central vision of political reforms, equality,
transparency and accountability, sustainable economic development and opportunity for all its
citizens.
This can be done and MUST be done for it citizens. Those that lost their lives in the blast
cannot be replaced but the ruling elite since post-civil war can. Lebanese at home and the
diaspora must take part in increasing voter turnout to well over 60% in order to change its
political and economic course in 2026. We must act now, lives depend on it.
