Repatriation Efforts
Libya repatriated 369 irregular migrants to Nigeria and Mali on Tuesday, including over a hundred women and children, according to an official. The repatriation was part of ongoing efforts to address irregular migration.
Details of the Flights
Mohammed Baredaa, head of the Libyan interior ministry’s anti-migration organization, reported that two flights transported 204 Nigerians and 165 Malians. Among the Nigerian migrants were nine babies, 18 minors, and 108 women. These flights were coordinated with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Voluntary Return Program
The IOM’s “voluntary humanitarian return program” provides free return flights and reintegration support for migrants returning to their home countries. However, some migrants claimed they were forcibly deported. Hakim, a 59-year-old Nigerian, described a night raid where authorities confiscated his passport and detained him and his wife before repatriation.
Libya’s Migration Struggles
Libya continues to grapple with instability following the 2011 NATO-backed overthrow of Moamer Kadhafi. The country’s turmoil has allowed smugglers and human traffickers to exploit migrants. Libya has faced criticism for its treatment of migrants and refugees, with allegations of extortion and slavery.
Migrants’ Journey and EU Efforts
Libya, located about 300 kilometers from Italy, serves as a key departure point for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea. Increased efforts by Libya and the European Union to curb irregular migration have left many migrants stranded in Libya. Interior Minister Imad Trabelsi emphasized the need to resolve the issue, noting that Libya has become a “country of settlement” rather than just a transit point, which he finds unacceptable.
SOURCE: Ref Image from The Guardian Nigeria
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