2025-04-04T10:45:13.000Z

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In a controversial move, Libyan authorities have ordered the expulsion of multiple humanitarian aid organizations, accusing them of attempting to alter the nation's demographic structure by encouraging African migrants to settle in Libya. The crackdown, which targets ten prominent groups including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and the Norwegian Refugee Council, has sparked widespread condemnation and raised questions about the implications for vulnerable populations in the region.

On Thursday, Salem Gheit, a spokesman for the Internal Security Authority, articulated the government's stance, stating, "This plan to settle migrants of African origin in our country represents a hostile act. It aims to change the demographic composition of the country and threatens the balance of Libyan society." This rhetoric echoes a similar and highly criticized statement made by Tunisian officials two years prior, which was condemned for its overt tone of anti-black racism.

Libya and Tunisia, both situated along the Mediterranean Sea, serve as critical transit points for countless African migrants attempting to reach Europe. The instability that has plagued Libya since the downfall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 has led to a fractured government, where rival factions operate independently and the presence of armed militias and human traffickers has become increasingly rampant. As a result, Libya has effectively split into two distinct political entities, each governed by their own administration.

The situation for migrants in Libya is dire. Reports have surfaced detailing horrifying conditions in detention centers run by militias, where numerous accounts of abuse—including beatings to death, starvation, and sexual violence—have emerged. Furthermore, the Libyan coastguard has been criticized for reportedly filming migrants in distress at sea rather than performing rescues, highlighting the grim reality faced by those trying to escape to safety. To date, the Libyan authorities have remained silent regarding these serious allegations against them.

The recent order to expel aid organizations was issued by the internationally recognized government based in Tripoli. In response to the rising tensions, MSF announced a suspension of its operations in Libya one week prior, citing a troubling campaign of harassment directed at international NGO staff since mid-March, which involved summoning and interrogating personnel. MSF expressed deep concern over the potential repercussions of this expulsion order on the health of patients and the safety of humanitarian workers, emphasizing the vital services they provide.

In a statement to the BBC, the UNHCR defended its operations in Libya, asserting that their work focuses on assisting refugees, not migrants, who are often in desperate need of aid. They maintained that their activities are conducted with the explicit consent of the Tripoli government. Spokesman William Spindler remarked, "We are in contact with the authorities in Libya and are following up with them to seek clarity. UNHCR has been operating in Libya for over 30 years, providing humanitarian assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, and vulnerable Libyan communities."

Among the accusations made by Libya's Internal Security Authority against the targeted aid organizations was the claim that they were supporting "illegal migrants" by providing essential resources including food, clothing, and medical care. Authorities assert that such support encourages migrants to perceive Libya as a permanent destination rather than a temporary stop on their journey to Europe. However, many migrants express a strong desire to leave the country due to the severe rights abuses they endure, including violence, exploitation, and systemic discrimination.

One Sudanese refugee, who has been trafficked in Libya, recounted her harrowing experience to the BBC, stating, "He used to call me a 'disgusting black.' He raped me and said: 'This is what women were made for.'" She further added that even children in Libya treat them poorly, illustrating the deep-seated prejudices that persist. "Even kids here are mean to us; they treat us as beasts and sorcerers, they insult us for being black and African—are they not Africans themselves?"