Libyan Officials Convicted for Dam Disasters Amidst Ongoing Political Corruption

Libyan Officials Convicted in Dam Catastrophe

Twelve officials in Libya have been found guilty and sentenced for their involvement in a catastrophic disaster that resulted in the deaths of thousands and devastated a significant portion of eastern Libya, as announced by the country’s chief prosecutor on Sunday. However, the verdict notably did not address the entrenched political elite, whom many Libyans hold accountable for a decade marked by political stagnation, rampant corruption, violence, and chaos—conditions that likely contributed to the tragic dam failures.

The convictions come nearly a year after heavy rainfall from a major storm struck in September, overwhelming the aging dams situated above the coastal city of Derna. This led to their catastrophic failure, unleashing a torrent of water that surged into the areas below. While the official death toll is reported at 4,352 according to the United Nations, over 8,000 individuals remain unaccounted for, with many believed to have been swept out to sea.

The flood wreaked havoc on much of Derna and its surrounding regions, displacing approximately 45,000 residents. In total, the disaster impacted around 1.5 million people, which represents about 22 percent of Libya’s total population, as detailed in a January report by the World Bank, the European Union, and the United Nations.

A statement issued by Libya’s Attorney General, Sadiq Al-Sour, revealed that the twelve convicted individuals were responsible for the management of the country’s dams. Although the prosecutors did not disclose their identities or specific charges, a Libyan television channel, Al-Ahrar, reported that one of those convicted was Ali Al-Hibri, the general manager of a government fund previously assigned to oversee the reconstruction of Derna following the civil conflict that has plagued the nation.

Al-Ahrar also indicated that the mayor of Derna at the time of the disaster was among those convicted, alongside Al-Hibri’s predecessor and a Libyan Central Bank employee. The defendants were handed prison sentences ranging from nine to 27½ years and were also fined, with some being ordered to repay funds obtained through what were described as “illicit means,” hinting at corruption-related charges. The court acquitted four defendants, as noted in the statement.

Despite these convictions, many Libyans feel a sense of disappointment regarding the lack of accountability following the disaster, which transpired even after years of warnings about the urgent need for maintenance and repairs on the aging dams. The nation’s top leadership remains intact, though many citizens assert that they have facilitated a culture of corruption and negligence that contributed to the catastrophe, and that their response to the disaster was severely inadequate.

The flooding resulted in damage to or destruction of approximately 18,500 homes, equating to about 7 percent of Libya’s overall housing stock, as highlighted in the January report by the international organizations. The report also estimated that the disaster inflicted more than $1.6 billion in damages and economic losses on the country.

Nearly eleven months after the devastating flood, reconstruction efforts have barely commenced, leaving many displaced individuals living in temporary accommodations or without homes to return to.

Islam Al-Atrash contributed reporting from Tripoli, Libya.