Libya and Sudan have agreed to coordinate the voluntary return of nearly half a million Sudanese nationals who entered Libyan territory following the conflict that erupted in Sudan in April 2023. The announcement came after a meeting between Libyan Interior Minister Emad al-Trabelsi and his Sudanese counterpart Babiker Samra Mustafa, held on the sidelines of a conference organised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Libyan authorities confirmed that 467,000 Sudanese have been officially registered since the outbreak of hostilities, in addition to tens of thousands who had resided in the country prior to the conflict. The two ministers stated that cooperation with the IOM will be central to implementing a structured and safe voluntary return process, aimed at preventing irregular departures and easing pressure on host communities in Libya.
According to the agreement, both states will work on “grouping and returning” Sudanese migrants through designated crossing points, while ensuring humanitarian standards, medical screening and documentation procedures. The move comes amid growing concerns in Tripoli over increased migration flows and the ability of detention and accommodation facilities to maintain operational capacity.
Libya remains a primary destination and transit corridor for migrants heading to Europe via the central Mediterranean, with Sudanese nationals representing one of the largest cohorts arriving in the country. The ministers also stressed the urgency of reinforcing joint border patrols and exchanging intelligence to dismantle trafficking and smuggling networks operating across the Sahara.
The Libyan Interior Ministry said the initiative reflects a wider strategy to regulate migration movements while bolstering cooperation with countries of origin. Despite intensified repatriation operations, migrant departures from Libyan shores towards Italy continue at high levels, underscoring persistent instability in the region and limited economic alternatives for displaced Sudanese families.