Libya's central bank chief steps down in surprise resignation

Libya's Central Bank (CBL) Governor Naji Issa has resigned from his post, according to documents submitted to the country's two rival legislative chambers. The letters, dated August 9, were confirmed as authentic by Issa himself.

In the correspondence addressed to the heads of the eastern-based House of Representatives and the western-based High Council of State, Issa apologised for being unable to continue in his role. He declined to specify his reasons, describing them as too sensitive to disclose. When reached for further comment, Issa confirmed the letters' authenticity but offered no additional explanation.

Issa assumed the governorship in 2024 as part of a compromise between the two chambers to resolve a bitter standoff over control of the bank. That dispute had led to the removal of former governor Sadiq al-Kabir and a subsequent shutdown of oil production by eastern factions, severely curtailing Libya's output and exports during the crisis.

Libya has remained politically fractured since 2014, with rival authorities in the west and east emerging from the instability that followed the 2011 fall of Muammar Gaddafi. Neither legislative chamber has yet responded to Issa's resignation request.