The Libyan Minister of Youth in the Government of National Unity (GNU), Fathalla Al-Zunni met with the Chadian Minister of Justice, Mahamat Ahmat Alhabo, in N’Djamena.
They discussed enhancing cooperation in the justice sector.
The meeting was held in the presence of Libya’s Director of African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Chairman of the Board of the African Investments Company.
Last week, Libya’s Anti-Illegal Migration Agency announced its intention to repatriate 248 migrants to Niger and Chad.
According to the Agency, 120 Nigerien migrants will be repatriated by air, while 128 Chadian migrants will be repatriated by land through the common land borders with Libya.
Moussa Al-Koni, a member of the Libyan Presidential Council, who attended the final phase of the migrants’ deportation along with the ambassadors of Chad and Niger, emphasised that the process was conducted in a “humane” and “dignified” manner.
He stated, “Here at the Illegal Immigration Center in Tripoli, migrants were hosted and prepared in a decent and humane manner for their voluntary return to their countries.”
Al-Koni highlighted the importance of cooperation to reduce the exacerbation of irregular migration. “Cooperation is needed as transit or source countries with destination countries. This is a collective effort, and for them to stay in their homeland and live with dignity, it doesn’t take much if these countries agree on it,” he said.
Bakheet Ahmed, one of the repatriated migrants from Chad, praised the facilities provided for their return. He explained to AFP, “We will be returned to Chad, after all the facilities were provided for our return, following the completion of the procedures by the Chadian Embassy.”
Interior Minister, Emad Al-Tarabulsi discussed the voluntary return of migrants with Othman Belbeisi, the MENA Regional Director of the IOM on Monday. This included support for land and sea border crossings to curb irregular migration.
Libya, divided between rival authorities in the east and west, has become a center for tens of thousands of migrants seeking to reach Europe.
Many migrants attempt to reach Europe through Libyan territory, risking their lives. However, thousands have been illegally living in Libya for years, working in agriculture, construction, and trade, particularly around the capital.
The IOM reports that data collected by the United Nations between May and June 2023, indicates the presence of more than 700,000 migrants in Libya.
Libya has experienced rampant chaos since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, with two competing governments vying for power. The first controls the western part of the country, based in Tripoli, and led by Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba. The other controls the eastern part and is led by Osama Hammad, appointed by the Libyan Parliament, and supported by the Libyan National Army (LNA).