The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) jointly reported that over 1,800 migrants were either missing or perishing along the Mediterranean shores in 2023. The report particularly underscores Libya’s central role in this crisis.
Many South Sudanese refugees in Sudan, in their pursuit of better opportunities in Europe, invariably navigate through Libya, only to be ensnared in dire circumstances. A significant portion either gets incarcerated in Libyan detention centers or tragically dies in shipwrecks, with dreams of European shores in their eyes.
The Central Mediterranean route, with Libya as its pivotal point, has seen more than its fair share of tragedies. The report elucidates, “This route is responsible for a staggering 75% of all Mediterranean casualties in the past ten years.”
The enormity of the situation in Libya was highlighted by a grave incident between August 3rd and 4th, when a migrant ship faced calamity, sparing just four out of 45 onboard. This incident, which robbed the lives of three innocent children, is a dire testament to the urgency of the situation.
Responding to these disturbing trends, United Nations (UN) agencies made an impassioned plea on Thursday for safer transit avenues in Europe. They especially emphasised the need for IOM, UNHCR, and UNICEF’s active presence in Libya’s proximity, specifically on Italy’s Lampedusa Island. Such a move is deemed crucial for the expedited resettlement of migrants, particularly those with special requirements.
Echoing this sentiment, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees urged for a more coherent strategy to navigate this challenge. This involves not only facilitating safe transit routes but also addressing underlying issues like human trafficking and providing structured responses in transit nations like Libya.
In October 2021, a representative of refugees in Libya, which is an NGO concerned with migrants, said over 9,000 South Sudanese were stuck in Libya as they attempted to migrate to Europe.
These were part of the 20,000 African migrants trapped in the Gargaresh area in Tripoli, Libya as representatives of refugees in Libya called for a swift rescue by African leaders.
“An estimated number of 20,000 refugees and migrants living in Tripoli have been greatly affected by these developments which erupted on October 1st this year,” the source added.
“There are few Ugandans here estimated at 1000 with South Sudanese exceeding 9000,” the representative added.
In October 2022, a South Sudanese activist in Khartoum, Achol Malong Deng, revealed that over 700 South Sudanese youth had been arrested by the police in Khartoum after they attempted to go to Europe through Libya since they started the crackdown.
“I don’t know why they come without documents and want to go to Europe. That route is risky and [if allowed] some of them might go and drown in the sea. Every day, we receive reports that South Sudanese have been caught,” she said.
According to a report published by Middle East Monitor in August 2022, 20 bodies were discovered close to the Libyan border and some Sudanese were among those rescued.
