In a significant development reflecting the ongoing humanitarian challenges in war-torn Libya, authorities have initiated the deportation of more than 320 irregular migrants to their home country, Nigeria, as confirmed by an immigration official speaking to AFP.
Libya, plagued by a decade of violence and instability following the 2011 overthrow of dictator Moamer Kadhafi, has emerged as a crucial departure point on North Africa’s Mediterranean coast for migrants, predominantly hailing from other parts of Africa.
These individuals often undertake perilous sea voyages in pursuit of a better life in Europe.
The deportation process, spearheaded by a Tripoli-based anti-immigration body established last year, signifies the collaboration between Libya’s rival administrations to address the challenges posed by irregular migrants residing in the country illegally.
The migration agency’s head of security, Mohamad Baredaa, reported the expulsion of 163 irregular migrants of Nigerian nationality from Mitiga airport, including 107 women, 51 men, and five children.
This coordinated effort, conducted in conjunction with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), extends beyond the capital, Tripoli.
Baredaa revealed that an additional 160 Nigerians were scheduled for deportation from Benina airport in Benghazi on the same day.
The deportees were granted laissez-passer documents at Tripoli’s Mitiga airport before boarding shuttles to the awaiting plane.
The deportation initiative sheds light on the grim reality faced by migrants in Libya, where more than 700,000 individuals are estimated to be residing, grappling with the consequences of the nation’s protracted conflict and the vacuum created by the absence of stable governance.
The roots of this crisis lie in Libya’s descent into chaos after the NATO-backed uprising that led to the overthrow and killing of Moamer Kadhafi.
The ensuing power vacuum created an environment conducive to human trafficking, turning the country into a hotbed for smugglers and traffickers who have long been accused of perpetrating egregious abuses against vulnerable migrants.
To address the complex challenges faced by migrants in Libya, the International Organization for Migration established a “voluntary humanitarian return” scheme in 2015.
This initiative aims to arrange and finance the travel of migrants and asylum seekers in Libya who wish to return to their respective origin countries.
However, despite such efforts, the number of people participating in the program saw a decrease from 11,200 in 2022 to 9,370 in the past year, according to IOM figures.
As Libya grapples with the humanitarian fallout of its protracted conflict, the deportation of migrants underscores the ongoing struggle to find effective solutions to the complex web of challenges faced by those seeking refuge in the country.
The international community continues to grapple with the multifaceted dimensions of the migration crisis, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to address the root causes and provide sustainable solutions for those affected by the turbulent realities of Libya.
