The Governor of Libya’s Central Bank (CBL), Naji Issa, has submitted his resignation to the country’s rival legislative chambers, according to two documents seen by Reuters.
Issa confirmed the authenticity of the documents in a message to Reuters but declined to disclose the reasons behind his decision, citing their sensitivity.
The two resignation letters, dated August 9, were addressed to the heads of Libya’s rival legislative chambers.
“I apologize for not being able to continue in my duties as Governor of the Central Bank of Libya, without stating the reasons, due to their sensitivity,” the documents read.
Issa did not provide further details about his decision.
Libya’s political system remains divided between rival authorities in the east and west, a division that has persisted since 2014 following years of instability after the fall of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011.
The country’s two rival legislative bodies are the eastern-based House of Representatives, elected in 2014, and the High Council of State in the west, established under a 2015 political agreement.
The head of the High Council of State, Mohamed Takala, urged Issa to remain in office pending consideration of his resignation.
Takala asked the governor to stay in his position “in order to maintain financial, economic and political stability” until the resignation is considered and determined in accordance with constitutional and legal procedures.
The House of Representatives had not responded to Issa’s resignation request as of Monday.
Issa became governor of the Central Bank in 2024 after the two legislative chambers agreed on his appointment in an effort to end a prolonged dispute over control of the institution.
The dispute had led to the ousting of former governor Sadiq al-Kabir.
The crisis began in August 2024 when western factions moved to remove Kabir and replace him with a rival board.
The move prompted eastern factions to shut down Libya’s oil production, sharply reducing the country’s oil output and exports during the standoff.
The Central Bank plays a critical role in Libya’s economy because the country remains heavily dependent on oil revenues to finance government spending and other economic activities.
Issa’s resignation therefore comes at a sensitive time for a country where political divisions have repeatedly affected economic management and oil production.
His decision could raise fresh concerns over the stability and independence of the Central Bank if the rival authorities disagree over his replacement.
The two legislative chambers will now have to determine how to handle the resignation and whether a new governor can be agreed upon without triggering another institutional confrontation.
