By Mumtaz Moosa Saley

24/10/2019

Since mid-October 2019, Lebanese citizens from all walks of life have taken to the streets in an unprecedented protest, that not only transcended sectarian but also social and economical ones.

The demand for the Lebanese cabinet to resign sparked the unity among the citizens. The cabinet was formed in January this year and for the past ten months, citizens have reported that the situation in the country has not yet changed.

One of the major issues was a financial crisis due to mismanagement of funds as well as corruption within the Cabinet. Citizens say they are simply tired of false promises. 

By the second day of the demonstrations, protestors were beginning to classify their actions as a revolution. It may or may not end up as a political revolution, but it has illustrated a remarkable social one.

Between 2005 and 2015 there have been numerous protests, but it was never to call the current government to step down. While the streets, previously piled up with rubbish and basic service delivery was failing, residents in Beirut stood demanding answers from government whilst understanding that the issues were due to various allegations of fraud within government.

The governments’ responses have been the usual ones and the protesters have been met with violence while the government has made an announcement that there will be an increase in tax.

For the first time in modern history has the people across the country even in the remote areas have called for the resignation of the entire cabinet. Even areas that are controlled by the Shia are under protest demanding that the leaders in the town step down. Decades of corruption has sent the countries economy in a downward spiral that is getting out of control.

How the political elite will respond, one would have to guess.

The revolution maybe a few days old, but the people have taken to the streets despite their race or social status. Some groups have already launched a park and ride option, while others are seeing that the people on the streets get light snacks. This revolution seems to be the seed of change that was planted in 2015 already.