Lebanon has had enough of sectarianism

▶ The demands of protesters must be heeded and corrupt politicians held to account

Lebanon is witnessing an historic moment as people from all social backgrounds and sects have come together to denounce corruption, political inefficiency and a sluggish economy. Since Thursday, thousands have taken to the streets after a new tax on calls through the messaging application WhatsApp was announced. The measure was rolled back but for many, this was the last straw. It was indicative of state capture at its worst, where the rich get richer and everyone else is burdened with overwhelming costs. The protests continued, taking a wider stance against a political elite that has failed to resolve successive crises. Decades of corruption and mismanagement have run the economy to the ground leaving Lebanon with the sad title of third-most indebted nation in the world. In July, Lebanon passed its most austere budget in history, a mandatory prerequisite to unlock $11 billion pledged by donors at the CEDRE conference last year. Since then, people have periodically taken to the streets. While austerity hit the most vulnerable, the elites were untouched.

Protesters gathered in front of the house of Amal Movement’s leader Nabih Berri in the affluent area of Ain El Tineh in Beirut, chanting “Thief! Thief!”. Others took down large posters of former prime minister Najib Mikati in Tripoli, the city that launched the Sunni politician’s career. Meanwhile, demonstrators burnt posters of Tony Frangieh, the leader of the Marada party, in his Christian stronghold of Zgharta. In a rare show of unity, each sect rebelled against its leaders, many of whom have been in power for decades without improving the lives of the Lebanese. The sectarian system that people are protesting against was shaped 30 years ago with the Taif agreement, which ended Lebanon’s civil war. A system of quotas was put in place stating that the president must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni and the speaker a Shiite. But this system has kept sectarian parties in power despite their failure to provide citizens with basic rights such as access to electricity and water 24 hours a day.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Saad Hariri gave parties 72 hours to find a solution. In response, some politicians have opportunistically claimed the protesters’ demands as their own. Meanwhile, the Christian Lebanese Forces have withdrawn from government in what many see as an attempt to evade responsibility. Some parties have even retaliated against the very people they should defend. There are reports that members of Amal and the LF have assaulted protesters.

Despite these setbacks, people have remained united. The legitimate demands of the Lebanese echo those of Iraqis who took to the streets last week to denounce poor living conditions, unemployment and corrupt sectarian elites. They were met with brutal force, as more than 100 people were killed and several thousands injured. Lebanese leaders must learn from events in Iraq and avoid violence at all costs. This starts by taking stock of the government’s failings and implementing anti-corruption reforms. It also means holding those who are corrupt and incompetent to account, before it is too late.