On Sunday, Libyan Foreign Minister Abdulhadi Al-Hwaij said that Libya has emerged as the only country to open its doors to Sudanese displaced persons fleeing the ravages of war.
In a joint press conference held with the State Minister for Illegal Migration Affairs, Fathi Al-Tubawi Al-Hwaij discussed the outcomes of the first preparatory meeting for the upcoming African-European Conference on Migration, scheduled for late May in Benghazi under the auspices of Libyan Prime Minister Osama Hammad.
Highlighting the crucial decisions made during the first African Conference held in Benghazi in January 2024, Al-Hwaij emphasised the agreement to convene an African-European conference on May 25, 2024, with the participation of all European states, including non-European Union members. “We believe in a comprehensive approach as the migration issue concerns both African and European countries alike, especially those in Southern Europe who are directly affected by migration phenomena. Hence, the solutions must be collaborative, not unilateral from the European side alone,” Al-Hwaij stated.
The Foreign Minister lauded the success of the African Conference, hosted and sponsored by the Libyan government under Prime Minister Hammad’s leadership. Al-Hwaij also mentioned that Libya, serving as a transit country rather than a source or destination, faces significant challenges, prompting the government to take the initiative for this unique African-European framework meeting. He emphasized the conference’s importance, aiming for the participation of around 100 countries, including government representatives, parliamentarians, experts, and civil society, totaling approximately 300 participants from both continents and Africans in the diaspora.
Addressing the crisis of displaced Sudanese, Al-Hwaij relayed a statement from their Consul General in Benghazi, affirming Libya as the sole nation offering refuge and assistance to those escaping conflict. In response, Prime Minister Hammad has formed a committee to oversee the aid efforts, with imminent plans to visit Al Kufra and Ajdabiya, where tens of thousands of Sudanese brothers and sisters reside, to assess their conditions.
During the press conference, Al-Hwaij responded to inquiries about European countries’ reception to the upcoming conference, underscoring the necessity of global cooperation to address migration challenges effectively. This initiative by Libya not only showcases its commitment to humanitarian principles but also underscores the need for a concerted international effort to provide sustainable solutions for migration issues.
