Tripoli, Libya – Libya forcibly returned 369 migrants to Nigeria and Mali on Tuesday, including over a hundred women and children, according to Libyan officials. Two flights carrying 204 Nigerians and 165 Malians departed from Mitiga International Airport, the Libyan interior ministry said.
The move comes as Libya grapples with a surge in undocumented migrants, many fleeing conflict and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. The North African nation has become a key transit point for those seeking a better life in Europe, with smugglers exploiting the country’s instability to profit from human trafficking.
While Libyan authorities and international organizations claim the deportations are voluntary, some migrants dispute this, alleging mistreatment and coercion. A 59-year-old Nigerian man, who requested anonymity, told AFP that Libyan security forces stormed his home, confiscated his passport, and detained him before deportation.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) facilitates voluntary returns and provides reintegration support to migrants in their home countries. However, the growing number of deportations has strained the organization’s resources.
Libya’s interior minister has called for a comprehensive solution to the migrant crisis, acknowledging the country’s inability to absorb the influx of foreigners. The European Union has also stepped up efforts to curb irregular migration, contributing to the increasing challenges faced by migrants in Libya.
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