Libya’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in the eastern-based government, Dr. Abdulhadi Al-Hwaij, held a high-level meeting in Sebha to address the growing challenges posed by irregular migration, with a particular focus on migrant-run schools operating in the southern city.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Agriculture, the Mayor of Sebha, the Head of the Southern Organization, the Director of Sebha Security, the Head of the Development and Reconstruction Authority in Sebha, as well as several senior security officials.
Discussions centred around the legal status of schools serving irregular migrants, the curriculum being taught, and efforts to regulate these institutions. Officials also addressed potential violations and the need to bring such schools into legal compliance.
The gathering comes as part of broader efforts to manage the presence of irregular migrants in Libya’s south, improve oversight of related educational institutions, and ensure that national laws are upheld in a way that serves the public interest.
Sebha has long been a key transit point for migrants heading toward northern Libya and eventually Europe. The presence of unregulated educational institutions has added further complexity to the region’s social and administrative landscape.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
