Kathmandu— In August 2011, the fall of Tripoli marked what many hoped would be a new beginning for Libya after four decades under Muammar Gaddafi. However, fifteen years later, the country continues to grapple with political division, economic hardship, and a significant loss of skilled professionals who have left seeking stability and opportunity elsewhere. These expatriates, while building lives abroad, express a lingering connection to their homeland and question whether they will ever be able to return and contribute to its rebuilding.

A Lost Generation

Sarah Mizran, a 32-year-old architect, left Tripoli eight years ago for the United Kingdom. She described how Libya loses not only skills when young professionals emigrate but also “a sense of possibility,” leading to widespread disillusionment. Pursuing a master’s degree in sustainable architecture, Mizran hopes to one day contribute to rebuilding her country’s architectural landscape, believing that stability is key to prompting the diaspora to return. Nader Elgadi, 36, similarly left Libya during the second civil war in 2014 after running his own media company in Tripoli. He founded ‘Libya in the UK’ a cultural charity aimed at fostering a sense of community among the Libyan diaspora and building “a sense of that country we always wished for.”

Challenges to Rebuilding

While tens of thousands of skilled individuals remain within Libya’s ministries, Tarek Megerisi, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, argues they are hampered by senior officials uninterested in effective governance. He notes that following the revolution, many returning Libyans with inflated credentials secured political positions but failed to deliver on promises of democracy, creating a stagnant environment. This has particularly impacted younger professionals who came of age during the late Gaddafi era and were initially optimistic about post-revolution opportunities, only to find themselves facing a “quagmire.”

Differing Perspectives on Impact

The extent to which this brain drain is hindering Libya’s progress remains a point of debate. Toby Chitayat, an associate at CRI Menas, suggests its impact on governance or investor confidence is “comparatively minimal” given the country’s existing challenges – including its east-west split, volatile oil revenue, and endemic corruption. However, he acknowledges it is too early to definitively assess the long-term effects on re-engagement with the country. Megerisi believes that the talent pool would return quickly if a genuine opportunity for positive change emerged, echoing Mizran’s sentiment about the need for stability.

Defining ‘Home’

For many who have left, the concept of ‘home’ has evolved. Mizran poignantly describes home as “something we create again and again,” while Elgadi identifies as a “nomad” who no longer expects to return permanently, despite continuing to work with Libyan clients through his consultancy. Both express a continued connection to Libya, even as they build lives elsewhere.

The future of Libya remains uncertain, but the experiences of its diaspora highlight the complex challenges facing the nation and the need for sustained efforts to create an environment that encourages skilled professionals to return and contribute to rebuilding their homeland.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.