Fatshimetrie The world of international finance has been shaken by alarming news from the Libyan Central Bank. Indeed, the institution announced the suspension of all its operations following the kidnapping of one of its senior officials in Tripoli. The bank strongly condemned this act of violence, reporting the disappearance of its IT director, Musab Msallem.
The incident occurred early one morning, when an unidentified individual entered Mr. Msallem’s home to kidnap him. In addition, other employees of the bank were threatened with the same fate. Faced with this critical situation, the central bank took the rigorous decision to cease its activities until Mr. Msallem is released.
It is important to emphasize that the Libyan Central Bank is a key pillar of the country’s economy, being the only internationally recognized depository of Libya’s oil revenues. These revenues represent a vital source of funding for a country that has been torn apart by years of political conflict.
The unfortunate development comes just days after an attempted armed assault on the central bank by an armed group seeking to force the resignation of its governor, Seddik al-Kabir. In office since 2012, Mr. Kabir has been criticized for his management of oil resources and the state budget, fueling a climate of distrust and dissent within the institution.
Since the fall and assassination of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the country has been plunged into chronic instability, marked by incessant power struggles. Currently, Libya is divided between two rival governments: one recognized by the UN and based in Tripoli, the other in the east of the country, backed by General Khalifa Haftar, an influential warlord.
This series of tragic events underscores once again the challenges Libya faces in achieving lasting political and economic stability. In these uncertain times, the international community must support efforts to restore peace and prosperity in this conflict-torn country.