Colonel Abdulrahman Al-Ansari, Head of the Illegal Immigration Agency in Libya’s southern region, disclosed plans to launch an initiative to combat illegal migration. This is in collaboration with units of the Libyan National Army (LNA).
During a press conference on Thursday, Al-Ansari confirmed that they are utilising all available resources to curb this phenomenon, stating, “We have formed a rapid-response cell working in conjunction with the armed forces in the South.”
Al-Ansari pointed out the lack of substantial support from organisations that claim to assist Libya in this domain. He expressed, “In the southern region, we have not seen this support, and these organizations have not provided any tangible assistance.”
Emphasising the need to enforce Libyan laws in this regard, Al-Ansari noted, “We are governed by Law No. 19 of 2010, which criminalises illegal immigration, and we will implement it in all southern regions, in cooperation with the Southern Operations Room.”
He also mentioned that there is information indicating a significant number of people in areas bordering Libya are attempting to enter the country, adding, “We are trying to limit this influx.”
It’s noteworthy that the leader of the Military Council in Niger, Abdel Rahman Tian, had annulled legislation criminalising migrant smuggling in November. This was in response to European sanctions against Niamey.
Libya has emerged as a significant source of illegal migration to Italy, rivalling the traditionally high numbers from Tunisia. This increase is largely attributed to the breakdown of security infrastructure in Libya’s western regions, exacerbated by the dominance of militias. These developments have led to Libya becoming a hub for human trafficking, and illegal immigration activities.
Italian authorities have noticed a marked increase in migrants coming from Libya, a trend confirmed by the interception of several migrant boats in Italian waters. Matteo Piantedosi, Italy’s Interior Minister, pointed out that while Tunisia accounts for over 60% of illegal migrants to Italy, the rise in numbers from Libya is significant and concerning.
The European Union Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson linked the spike in migration from these countries to policy changes in the Nigerien Military Council, which repealed laws targeting migrant smuggling networks. This decision, she warns, “could result in increased migrant flows to Libya and further into Europe, exploited by human trafficking networks.” Previously, these laws had been instrumental in reducing the flow of migrants across the Mediterranean to Europe.
The Italian authorities recently reported the arrival of 103 migrants from Libya, to the island of Lampedusa. These migrants, from Egypt, Syria, Pakistan, Palestine, and Afghanistan, were intercepted and taken for medical checks at the Imbriacola hotspot.