In a momentous move, Libyan authorities have lately expelled 248 undocumented migrants, helping them return to their native countries, Niger and Chad. This drastic action is part of a joint undertaking by rival authorities in Libya, a country besieged by conflict. Libya’s location on the North African coast has made it a central hub for thousands of migrants envisaging the arduous journey across the Mediterranean to Europe each year.
A higher official from Tripoli’s clandestine migration control agency confirmed that 120 Nigeriens have left the Libyan shores heading towards Niamey. This migration process is being coordinated under the watchful eyes of the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Following alternate directives, the eastern-based Libyan authorities are facilitating the travel of 128 migrants to the border with Chad. This splintered system of control within Libya is a result of the country’s division in the years following the 2011 downfall of Moamer Kadhafi, with rival factions forming power bases in both the east and the west.
Aching under the repercussions of political division, Libya has found itself to be a magnet drawing recurrent waves of migrants. However, their journey is often marred by interactions with ruthless trafficking gangs seeking to extort desperate migrants for money.
Moussa al-Koni, vice president of the Libyan presidential council, voiced his concern by commenting, “We have all endured a high-cost toll due to the machinations of these groups who seek to exploit nationals of Niger and Chad, in addition to those from further afar in Africa and Asia, by smuggling them into Europe.”
In order to neutralise these “criminal trafficking networks” operating between Libya, Chad and Niger, Al-Koni called for increased cooperation. He emphasised the need for effective collaboration between the countries of origin, transit nations and the intended destination countries. He underscored that a collective initiative should be undertaken, one that could help these intending migrants stay securely in their home countries and live with dignity.
As per IOM statistics, an alarming count of more than 700,000 migrants, primarily from Niger and Egypt, resided in Libyan territory between May and June of this year. This escalating migrant crisis was broached in a meeting between Libyan Interior Minister Imed Trabelsi and the IOM’s regional representative Othman Belbeisi in Tripoli last Monday. The core agenda of their discussion was the establishment of a streamlined mechanism to safely repatriate irregular migrants in coordination with the IOM.
The challenge facing the Libyan government and international bodies like the IOM, is not just in managing a state amidst a turbulent power vacuum, but additionally to battle the exploitation of migrants and counteract the criminal networks of traffickers that thrive in these circumstances. The swift action taken to deport 248 individuals does represent a step in the right direction, but Libya’s migrant crisis is far from resolution. Further actions are required at both national and international levels if Libya is to shed its unwanted status as a migrant hub.
Image Credit: Marina Militare via AP Photo
