More than 412,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in Libya since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan, according to a report by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, highlighting the growing humanitarian pressure on Libya as a major transit and destination country.
The report, covering the period from August to November, states that the majority of Sudanese refugees in Libya are women and children. It notes that the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has officially registered 106,560 refugees in Tripoli alone, including 86,849 Sudanese nationals.
Women and minors are estimated to account for around 60 percent of the total refugee population, while school-age children represent approximately 26 percent, raising concerns over access to education, healthcare, and protection services.
The Secretary-General’s report attributes the sharp increase in refugee arrivals partly to the closure of the Libya–Sudan border. As a result, many Sudanese refugees are now crossing into Libya via Chad before moving onward to cities such as Tripoli, Benghazi, and, more recently, Tobruk.
According to UNHCR estimates, between 100 and 150 Sudanese refugees are arriving in Libya every day, underscoring the sustained flow despite border restrictions and security challenges.
The report also highlights the impact of suspended deportation operations, which has disrupted refugee registration processes and left large numbers without legal documentation. This has limited refugees’ freedom of movement and prevented many from accessing humanitarian assistance and basic services.
Regarding irregular migration toward Europe, UNHCR data shows that more than 3,000 migrants were intercepted at sea and returned to Libya between January and October 18 of last year, many of them Sudanese nationals attempting to cross the Mediterranean.
The report further warns that Tobruk has emerged as a major hub for migrant smuggling and human trafficking, becoming a key departure point for crossings toward Greece, adding to regional security and humanitarian concerns.
