After weeks of tensions resulting in the shutdown of the Central Bank of Libya, unpaid salaries, and a scarcity of cash, the country’s two rival governments seemed on the verge of accepting a UN-brokered agreement to resume operations, only to fall back into a familiar deadlock. The GNA in the west attempted to replace the CBL Governor, leading to a shutdown of much of the country’s oil production by the GNU in the east, which is supported by Khalifa Haftar.
The CBL plays a crucial role in managing Libya’s imports and salaries, and the power struggle over its leadership has caused further instability in the country. International efforts to resolve the situation have faltered, with no clear path towards a resolution in sight.
The conflict stems from a longstanding rivalry between political and military elites in Libya since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The international community has struggled to address the power dynamics in the country, focusing on maintaining the rule of elites at the expense of stability for the general population.
However, as the elites vie for control, ordinary Libyans suffer from a lack of essential services and deteriorating living conditions. With no clear path towards national elections or a central government, the future of Libya remains uncertain, while external actors continue to exploit the country’s instability for their own interests.
The ongoing crisis in Libya has led to a humanitarian cost, with over 1,000 refugees and migrants dying or going missing on the Central Mediterranean migration route this year. The international community’s failure to address the root causes of Libya’s turmoil has led to a situation where corruption and chaos prevail, while the Libyan people pay the price for the greed and blindness of their elites and external powers.
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