Sudanese refugees in Libya: war, abuse, and border controls

As the conflict in Sudan continues to displace millions, Libya has become one of the most important destination for those seeking safety.

According to the latest UNHCR report on March 2026, is estimated that over 559,920 Sudanese refugees have arrived in Libya since April 2023, when the deadly power struggle in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), formerly allied militias commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo started. The influx of Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers into Libya has reached critical levels, particularly in the southeastern regions like Kufra, which serves as the main entry point .

Despite the growing numbers, the response is struggling to keep pace. Sudanese refugees in Libya are facing what experts describe as a “humanitarian collapse”, as reported by Arab Weekly. Funding shortfalls have severely limited the ability of international agencies to provide basic necessities. The shortfall is partly a result of US foreign aid cuts under President Donald Trump, who returned to office in January 2024 and reduced billions of dollars in international assistance.

Many sudanees families in Libya are living in overcrowded conditions with restricted access to clean water, healthcare, and formal education. The lack of a stable legal framework in Libya further exacerbates their vulnerability, leaving thousands in a state of constant uncertainty. Without renewed international support, aid agencies warn that the already fragile humanitarian response may collapse, leaving tens of thousands of Sudanese refugees without basic necessities.

The journey and stay in Libya are fraught with physical danger. Human rights organizations have raised urgent alarms regarding the treatment of Sudanese nationals. The Sudanese Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), on October 2025, warned of increasing systemic violence and targeted abuses against Sudanese migrants. Reports indicate that these individuals are often caught in the crossfire of local militias or subjected to arbitrary detention and exploitation, highlighting the precarious nature of their “refuge” in a country still struggling with its own internal stability.

In response to the uncontrolled movement, Libyan authorities have intensified security operations. On March 15, Libyan forces reported having foiled major smuggling attempts involving both migrants and fuel at the Sudan-Libya border. These operations are part of a broader attempt to stabilize the porous southern frontier, but they also complicate the path for those legitimately fleeing war, often forcing them into more dangerous, clandestine routes.

The management of these southern borders is not just a local issue but a key point of international diplomacy. During a high-level visit to Benghazi in February 2026, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi met with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar to discuss “migration management”. Italy has been pushing for stronger border controls in Libya’s south to prevent the flow of migrants toward the Mediterranean.

This deepening cooperation between Italy and eastern Libyan authorities underscores how the Sudanese refugee crisis has become central to Europe’s broader strategy of externalizing border management.

UNHCR Report, The Arab Weekly, Maghrebi.org