Libya has formally declared that Sudanese refugees fleeing the conflict in their country will be granted the same treatment as Libyan citizens, including full access to education and healthcare services. The announcement was made by Interior Minister Emad Al-Trabelsi during a press conference in Tripoli attended by European, African and Arab diplomats.
Al-Trabelsi confirmed that Libya has received more than 700,000 Sudanese nationals since the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023. He emphasised that the policy aims to protect those escaping violence while maintaining a clear distinction between recognised refugees and irregular migrants from other African states. The minister stated that deportation procedures will intensify for migrants who entered illegally and are not covered by humanitarian protections.
According to Al-Trabelsi, Libya has hosted around three million irregular migrants over the past fifteen years, many of whom arrived as families, increasing the likelihood of long-term settlement. He reiterated Libya’s refusal to accept migrants intercepted at sea and returned by foreign patrols, stressing that the burden on Libya has been substantial while international support remains “extremely limited”.
The minister confirmed the continuation of the national voluntary return programme, launched in October, with plans to repatriate thousands of migrants this month, particularly to Mali, Somalia and Chad. Libya will organise two repatriation flights weekly, prioritising women, children and elderly individuals.
Data from the International Organization for Migration indicate that 25,000 migrants have been intercepted and returned to Libya so far this year, including 2,196 women and 937 children. In the same conference, EU Ambassador Nicola Orlando rejected claims that Europe plans to settle migrants permanently in Libya, calling instead for increased funding for voluntary returns. He noted that the EU has spent €465 million on migration in Libya between 2015 and 2021, with an additional €65 million allocated for border security and protection until 2027.
