Faith Nyasuguta
Over 600 Nigerien nationals have been forcibly expelled from Libya, enduring a perilous journey across the Sahara Desert in one of the largest recorded deportations from the country. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) confirmed that 613 individuals arrived last weekend in the desert town of Dirkou, Niger, transported in a convoy of trucks.
According to Azizou Chehou of Alarm Phone Sahara, a migrant distress response group, the scale of this expulsion is unprecedented. “This is something new. While 400 people were deported last July, this convoy marks the largest number expelled to date,” Chehou stated.
The expulsions are part of a larger crackdown on migrant workers in Libya over the past month. These actions have intensified as European Union (EU) nations push to curb migration into Europe. Libya, along with Tunisia, has become a key partner for European countries such as Italy in preventing Mediterranean crossings. Italy’s interior ministry reports that 66,317 migrants reached its shores in 2024, a significant drop compared to 2023.
Critics argue that the EU’s strategy prioritizes reducing migration numbers over protecting human rights. David Yambio, spokesperson for Refugees in Libya, condemned the expulsions, labeling them as evidence of Europe’s harsh border policies. “This is Europe’s border policy laid bare, outsourcing mass expulsion and death to Libya, where the desert becomes a graveyard,” Yambio said. He further accused EU leaders of funding policies that invisibilize migrant suffering while washing their hands of responsibility.
The journey through the Sahara is fraught with danger. Chehou described the harsh conditions faced by deportees: freezing desert nights, overcrowded trucks, and the constant risk of injury. “Fights break out as people struggle for space, and some fall off trucks, sustaining severe injuries. By the time they reach Agadez, they are often in a very sorry state,” he said.
The deportations highlight the broader crisis of migration in Africa. Thousands of people migrate within and out of the continent each year, driven by poverty, conflict, and lack of opportunities. While many hope to reach Europe, others seek better lives within Africa. The recent expulsions show the urgency of addressing the systemic challenges driving migration and ensuring that vulnerable populations are treated with dignity and care.
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