Libya sends over 200 migrants packing
Libya’s authorities deported hundreds of migrants back to Chad and Niger on November 29, according to Africa News.
In what was a joint effort from Libya’s rival factions, 248 undocumented migrants were sent back to their country of origin as the country continues to crackdown on illegal immigration.
Since the downfall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, toppled by a NATO-backed rebellion, the war-torn country has seen numerous violent clashes as well as the establishment of two rival administrations in the east and west.
The UN-recognised, Tripoli-based government said that 120 Nigerians had left Libya, returning to the west African country’s capital Niamey.
READ: NGO vessel rescues 128 migrants off Libya
In tandem, the eastern-based government reported that 128 migrants were sent to the border with Chad.
Migrant smuggling has been a lucrative operation for networks of trafficking gangs. Thousands have reached Libyan shores illegally over recent years.
Moussa Al-Koni, the Vice President of the Libyan Presidential council, commented on the trouble that the smugglers cause as well as noting that the country is working tirelessly to crackdown on them.
During a press conference, Al-Koni said, “We have all paid a big price because of these groups that try to profit not only off nationals of Niger and Chad, but also of more distant countries in Africa and Asia, by smuggling them into Europe.” .
The Libyan official added that, to foil these, “criminal networks of traffickers” in Libya, Chad and Niger, cooperation is needed between, “the countries of departure or transit and the destination countries”.
Africa News
