The Africa Migration Conference, convened by the eastern Libyan government under Prime Minister Osama Hammad, has issued a strong call for new agreements with European countries regarding migration issues.
Held in Benghazi and titled “Africa Migration Conference – Sustainable Solutions for Africa,” the event primarily focused on addressing the challenges of irregular migration. Participants, who met on Monday and Tuesday, openly criticized the European Union’s approach to illegal immigration, rejecting its role as a policing entity in the matter.
In the “Benghazi Declaration,” the conference’s concluding statement, attendees urgently called for an African summit to develop a unified strategy on illegal migration. They stressed the need to avoid the political exploitation of the migration issue and to concentrate on formulating a cohesive approach.
The Libyan government and the General Command of the Libyan National Army (LNA) were lauded for their efforts in managing migrant welfare, including establishing shelters that adhere to humanitarian standards and international conventions.
The declaration emphasized a collective stance in negotiations with recipient countries, particularly those in Europe, to effectively manage migration within African nations. It highlighted the failure of security-focused approaches, advocating instead for developmental strategies in countries of origin.
The statement also expressed concern over the increasing political use of the migration issue in receiving countries, which has led to a surge in hateful trends. These trends, according to the declaration, further complicate the search for rational solutions to the challenges posed by international labor force movements, exacerbating the security-centric view of what is fundamentally an economic and humanitarian issue.
Prime Minister Hammad underscored the significance of tackling irregular migration, linking it to broader economic challenges and international security threats. He also highlighted Libya’s legislative actions against crimes like human trafficking.
In a related report from November 2023, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) revealed that the EU has allocated €59 million to Libya in recent years for migration management, including training, boats, and equipment. The report also noted the EU’s gradual retreat from migrant rescue operations in the Mediterranean, an increase in deterrence measures to prevent migration to Europe, and the controversial practice of returning migrants to Libya.