Calls for Investigation Into “Corruption Cases” Revealed by Libya’s Audit Bureau

The 2023 report by Libya’s Audit Bureau, leaked before its official release, has sparked a wave of criticism against the executive authority in Tripoli and its affiliated institutions. The report uncovered numerous “corruption cases,” leading to widespread political and public demands for investigations.

The report highlighted excessive spending and “financial irregularities,” including extravagant expenditures on luxury cars for officials, renting private jets, and inflated salaries for embassy and consulate staff—amounting to 1.5 billion dinars ($312.5 million).

Additionally, approximately 50 million dinars were allocated for vehicles, and nearly half a billion dinars were spent on training programs within the National Oil Corporation’s expenses.

While the findings of financial waste have angered many Libyans struggling to receive their monthly wages, MP Jibril Ouhida commented, “The corruption and misuse of public funds are likely much greater than what is reported in the Audit Bureau’s findings.”

The report also flagged unjustified expenses, including 847,000 dinars for housing allowances for Cabinet Office employees and over 316,000 dinars for long-term hotel bookings without clarifying the individuals involved.

The document also detailed expenses like 10,000 dollars for a single-night hotel suite during a presidential delegation’s visit to New York, despite Libya owning a property for hosting dignitaries.

Ouhida attributed the rise in financial misconduct to “a lack of oversight and accountability, external legitimization of executive bodies, and budgetary spending outside legal frameworks, compounded by division and chaos.”