The governor of Libya’s central bank, Naji Issa, has resigned without giving a reason, according to multiple reports on Monday. Private TV channel Al-Ahrar said Issa confirmed the resignation himself.
A key appointment tied to Libya’s oil crisis
Issa and vice-governor Miree al-Barasee were appointed in September 2024 by Libya’s parliament, based in the country’s east.
The appointment was part of a UN-backed deal that ended a standoff over Libya’s oil production and eased a deep financial crisis.
Libya has struggled to recover from years of conflict since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The country remains divided between the UN-recognized government of Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah in the west and a rival authority in the east, backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar.
Issa replaced Seddik al-Kabir, who officials close to Dbeibah had accused of mismanaging the bank and state funds, and of favoring the eastern-based administration.
After Tripoli authorities removed Kabir in August 2024, the Benghazi-based administration responded by declaring force majeure and suspending all oil production and exports.
That shutdown cut Libya’s oil output roughly in half, to about 600,000 barrels per day, according to the state-run National Oil Corporation.
Oil remains the backbone of Libya’s economy, with most production concentrated in the east and south, regions controlled by forces loyal to Haftar.
Libya’s parliament has not yet commented on Issa’s resignation.