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| Image: Daily Trust |
On Monday, Libyan authorities facilitated the repatriation of 161 Nigerians, as part of a voluntary return initiative supported by the United Nations. This effort comes amidst a rise in irregular migration within certain North African nations.
The repatriated group, which comprised 75 women and six children, was provided with sustenance and beverages by staff from the International Organization for Migration at Mitiga Airport in Tripoli. The migrants were seen boarding the plane by AFP correspondents.
Imed Trabelsi, the Interior Minister of the UN-recognized government situated in the conflict-affected western region of Libya, met with the migrants prior to their departure.
"We cannot bear the burden of clandestine migration alone" without international support, he told reporters at the airport.
He noted that among the group, "102 were apprehended at the border while attempting to" cross between Libya and Tunisia.
On August 10, the North African neighbours reached an agreement to jointly address the situation of hundreds of migrants stranded at their shared border. This resolution came after a month-long crisis sparked by the mass expulsion of migrants by Tunisian authorities.
Approximately 2,000 migrants, primarily originating from sub-Saharan African nations, had been relocated to the remote desert area of Ras Jedir by Tunisian authorities, leaving them to fend for themselves. This information was confirmed by witnesses, human rights organizations, and UN agencies.
Since the beginning of July, at least 27 individuals have been discovered deceased in the border region, and an additional 73 are reported missing, as shared by a humanitarian source with AFP earlier in the month.
An official from Nigeria's embassy in Tripoli stated that the group of 161 individuals had not been compelled to return to their home country.
"We spoke to (them) and explained that migration is not bad... but you have to follow due process," said embassy adviser Samuel Okeri.
"They are going back willingly. And as you can see, they are not sad but happy to go back to Nigeria. There is no place like home."
On June 20, a cohort of 165 Nigerians, which included 90 women and nine children, was also repatriated as part of the same program.
Libya serves as a significant route for migrants and asylum seekers embarking on treacherous sea journeys in often precarious boats, with the aspiration of seeking a better life in Europe.
Approximately 600,000 migrants are estimated to be residing in the conflict-affected country, which has witnessed 12 years of intermittent conflict since the 2011 NATO-supported uprising that led to the ousting of former leader Moamer Kadhafi.
Libyan authorities have faced severe condemnation from the United Nations and human rights organizations due to reported instances of violence against migrants.
Source: torizone.com
#Libya
#Migration
#Nigerians
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