The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported that over 97,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in Libya since the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023. Of this number, 65,000 refugees are concentrated in the city of Kufra.
In its latest assessment, published on Tuesday, the UNHCR highlighted that 97,000 Sudanese refugees have entered Libya since 2023. Among them, 45,452 have been registered by the UNHCR. However, estimates provided by local Libyan authorities suggest that the actual number of Sudanese refugees could be even higher.
According to the UNHCR data, more than 65,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in Kufra alone, with an estimated 300 to 400 refugees arriving in southern Libya daily.
However, the UNHCR pointed out that accurately recording the number of arrivals from Sudan is challenging due to the nature of irregular migration, a lack of data sharing by authorities, and Libya’s vast borders with Sudan, Egypt, and Chad. The constant movement of refugees toward coastal cities further complicates accurate tracking.
The UNHCR assessment also revealed that 95% of the registered Sudanese refugees in Libya entered through unofficial border crossings.
Libya has been in a state of political chaos since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. The country is divided between two rival administrations: the Government of National Unity (GNU) based in Tripoli, and an eastern administration.
This divide has led to ongoing conflict and instability, with each side vying for control over Libya’s resources and key institutions.
Efforts to bring the country together through national elections have been repeatedly delayed due to disputes over who is eligible to run for office and the lack of a unified legal framework. Libya’s vast oil wealth has only deepened the divide, as control of oil fields and revenues remains a contentious issue between the East and West.
The country is also plagued by the presence of foreign mercenaries, militias, and external interference, all of which complicate efforts to build a functioning, unified government.
