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Amia Augsburger writes about the Lebanese government's decision to resign. The fallout from last week's deadly explosion has been catastrophic, and anger has mounted amongst the country's citizens. Accusations of corruption and negligence are rife: something those in power have eventually recognised. As a result, the entire cabinet has stepped down; this article explores the significance of that decision.
On Monday the 10th of August, the prime minister of Lebanon, Hassan Diab, announced his governments’ resignation through a television announcement. The decision followerd a week of intense protests, as violent clashes between protesters and police had commencd after the deadly explosion.
Even prior to the 5th of August, Lebanon was facing the very real possibility of economic collapse, having faced a 463% annual rate of inflation, and food prices rising by 200% monthly. As the devastating explosion radiated from the capital's main port, feelings of injustice were sparked across the country, and people were once again ready to protest against their government.
A fire started on the roof of Warehouse 12 in the late afternoon, before ripping inside the building and setting 2,750 tonnes of aluminium nitrate alight. At first, when the blaze touched the chemical substance, mini explosions, like fireworks, could be heard. Only 30 seconds later, a colossal explosion erupted from the warehouse, creating a mushroom-like cloud. A "supersonic shock" then travelled through the country; At least 158 people are known to have died and 6,000 are injured.
This detonation alone immeasurably disrupted the dynamic between the civilians and the political elite again, already renowned for their corruption. For several years, protesters have remained perseverant in their hopes for a "revolution"; this tragedy is bound to further demonstrate the rebels' concerns. Journalist David Kilcullen describes the explosion as "the last bloody straw for a crumbling nation".
At the beginning of the pandemic in mid-March, protesters were no longer in the position to flood the streets, as they had been months before. For instance, in 2019 activists took to the streets, outraged by new plans proposed to tax products like tobacco and petrol. Even voice calls on Whatsapp were to be taxed, in a desperate plea to accumulate state wealth to prevent economic collapse. As a consequence of the mass-protesting, Prime Minister, Hariri, resigned and cancelled plans to boost tax revenue immediately.
Prior to the government's resignation, President Aoun released a statement rejecting the possibility of an international investigation into the blast, even suggesting that it could be a result of “external interference through a rocket or bomb or other act”. As the Lebanese people heard these words, many felt it was an act of cowardice rather than the strength of a government willing to accept accountabillity. Rebels certainly felt empwered to protest on the streets again, after months of tight lockdown restriction, however it is unclear whether their efforts will amount to serious change anytime soon.
Due to the complexity of Lebanese politics, it will take a prolonged period of time to find a new cabinet to replace the resigned one. Lebanon has always struggled to agree in government, due to the key factor of political sectarianism, where prominent groups are focused almost only in their own interests when debating law and legislation. In the country, there are eighteen different communities represented in government: twelve Christian, four Muslim, the Druze Sect, and Judaism. However, the three main political offices: President, Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament represent the three largest communities: Maronite Christians, Shia Muslims, and Sunni Muslims respectively. Thus, it is hard to create radical change such as economic and political reform.
At the moment, hospitals are being overwhelmed with the countless injuries caused by the blast. The head of Lebanese Red Cross, George Kattani, explained: “What we are witnessing is a large catastrophe; there are victims and casualties everywhere.”
In order to enable the 40% beneath the poverty line to get back on their feet, the government handover needs to be swift. Collective financial losses could reach up to $15bn, and 300,000 people could be left temporarily homeless: a startling statistic for a struggling nation. What the Prime Minister Diab did say, during his televised resignation, was that the government needed to take “a step back... to stand with the people, in order to wage battle of change with them”. It is certainly significant that the country's predecessors recognise that change is urgently required to save Lebanon from further political and economic crisis.
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