In a recent and alarming development, approximately 613 Nigerien migrants were forcibly expelled from Libya and returned to Niger during a perilous journey across the Sahara Desert. The deportation has raised significant humanitarian concerns regarding the treatment of migrants in Libya and the harsh conditions they face during such expulsions.
Details of the Deportation
The group, which included around 63 minors, was apprehended by Libyan authorities in various locations, including streets, mosques, and workplaces. Upon arrest, their belongings—including phones and money—were confiscated. The migrants were then transported to the town of Dirkou, Niger, where they arrived exhausted and traumatised after enduring a treacherous journey through the unforgiving desert landscape.
Photos shared by aid organisations depict the migrants sitting on the sand, visibly fatigued and in distress. Many were left without adequate food, water, or shelter upon their arrival. Local humanitarian groups, including Alarme Phone Sahara, provided immediate assistance with basic supplies such as dates, cookies, and water. However, the needs of these deportees far exceed what local resources can offer.
Harsh Conditions in Dirkou
Dirkou, a small town with a population of around 15,000, often serves as a reception point for migrants expelled from Libya. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) operates a transit centre there; however, it is severely overcrowded with only 30 available spaces. Many deportees are left to sleep outdoors under harsh conditions, lacking access to essential hygiene supplies and facing extreme temperatures.
Reports indicate that this is not an isolated incident; similar expulsions have occurred frequently as part of broader EU-backed policies aimed at curbing migration to Europe. These policies often lead to migrants being intercepted and returned to remote areas without adequate support or resources.
Broader Implications of Migration Policies
The expulsion of Nigeriens from Libya highlights the ongoing crisis faced by migrants attempting to navigate the perilous routes across North Africa. Libya has become a major departure point for many seeking to reach Europe but is also notorious for its human rights abuses against migrants. Reports of arbitrary detention, forced labour, and violence are rampant within the country’s chaotic political landscape.The recent deportations reflect a troubling trend in which migrants are treated as illegal entities rather than individuals deserving of protection and dignity. Human rights organisations have called for more robust measures to safeguard migrants and ensure their safe passage through regions marked by conflict and instability.
By Joseph Johnston,
Youth Editor,
Egogonews Hub
