A total of 687 migrants have voluntarily returned from Libya to four African countries over ten days, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as humanitarian repatriation efforts continue amid persistent migration pressures across the country.
The IOM said the return operations took place between June 12 and June 22, with migrants repatriated to Mali, Nigeria, The Gambia, and Chad through its Voluntary Humanitarian Return program. The initiative provides stranded migrants with safe transportation back to their countries of origin, alongside medical, protection, and reintegration assistance.
One of the largest operations involved 162 Chadian migrants, who departed from Benghazi and arrived in N’Djamena on June 23. The flight was coordinated by the IOM in partnership with the Chadian Consulate in Benghazi and local authorities.
Earlier in June, the organization also arranged separate charter flights returning 150 Gambian and 182 Nigerian migrants. The IOM said all beneficiaries received healthcare, protection services, and logistical support throughout their journey, while acknowledging financial assistance provided by the European Union.
Since launching its Voluntary Humanitarian Return program in Libya in 2015, the IOM has assisted more than 100,000 migrants in returning to their home countries across Africa and Asia.
Libya remains one of the principal transit countries for migrants seeking to reach Europe via the Central Mediterranean route. Years of political instability and weak border controls have enabled human smuggling and trafficking networks to expand, making migration one of the country’s most pressing humanitarian and security challenges.
According to the IOM, Libya hosted more than 800,000 migrants during 2025, with people from sub-Saharan Africa representing the largest share of the migrant population. Many continue to attempt dangerous sea crossings despite growing risks.
The organization also estimates that more than 1,300 migrants lost their lives on the Central Mediterranean route last year, underscoring the continuing dangers of irregular migration.