The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported a 50% increase in the movement of migrants from Niger to Libya since December, following the Niger military council’s decision to repeal laws that criminalized human smuggling.
This escalation in the number of irregular migrants heading to the border areas of Libya and Algeria coincides with Niger’s military taking actions in response to European sanctions imposed after the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, 2023.
In a recent meeting, Osama Hammad, Prime Minister of the Libyan Parliament-designated government, discussed migration and border security with Niger’s Foreign Minister, Bakary Sangare, and the Special Envoy to the President of Niger. The dialogue focused on mutual concerns and challenges, particularly regarding migration and border security enhancement.
This discussion occurred in Benghazi, eastern Libya, with Libya’s Minister of African Affairs, Issa Abdel-Majeed, among the attendees.
Abdel-Majeed also met with Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Lamine Zeine, and Foreign Minister Bakary Sangare in Dirk, Niger, near the Libyan border. This meeting addressed illegal migration and bilateral cooperation, with Sangare expressing a willingness to revisit his government’s policy on border openness with Libya. The talks also explored the potential establishment of a consulate in Sebha, Libya.
These developments come as Libya becomes an increasingly significant departure point for illegal migration to Italy, alongside Tunisia.
