On Sunday, the Mixed Migration Center (MMC) said that the number of migrants residing in Libya has increased by 2% in December 2022. This is estimated at 694,398 migrants, from more than 42 nationalities.
The Brussels-based center, cited a report issued this week by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), on the latest numbers of migrants in Libya. It noted that 54% of migrants reside in western Libya, 34% in the east of the country, while 12% are in the south.
The report indicated that most of the migrants in eastern Libya are from Egypt and Sudan, while those coming from Niger and Chad made up the majority of migrants in the south and the west.
Sudan tops the list of refugees and asylum-seekers registered in Libya, with more than 20,000 people, according to the UN’s latest quarterly report.
According to the data of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there were about 42,821 asylum seekers and refugees registered in Libya, mainly from Sudan (20,355) Syria (11,308), and Eritrea (6,716).
Last week, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani warned of the escalation of the political and military situation in Sudan, despite a truce between the two parties.
He expected that migration flows to Italy, via Libya would increase in the coming weeks due to the ongoing unrest in Sudan.
“There is a state of extreme instability. Many (Sudanese) people go to Chad, and to neighbouring countries, like Egypt,” Tajani said. “Before they get to Italy they will have to go through Libya or Tunisia. it takes a lot to cope with it,” he explained.
“Migration flows are likely to increase in the coming weeks and months. But in the meantime, we are very satisfied with the return of the Italian citizens (from Sudan). I thank the crisis unit of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, our Ambassador in Khartoum, our diplomats, and officials,” Tajani said.
The recent outbreak of conflict in Sudan will have a negative effect on the situation in neighbouring Libya, particularly in the southern areas of the country, according to the Economist Intelligence website.
Sudanese mercenaries and militia fighters have been active on both sides of the civil conflict that has split Libya since 2011. In recent years, many fighters have returned to Sudan, contributing to tensions in Sudan’s western Darfur region.
Sudan has also been a major departure point and a transit route for migrants seeking to head to Europe via Libya. Human traffickers are known to have taken advantage of the conflict and political turmoil.