Libya, Mr. Prime Minister…- From the Balcony – Tahir El-Mutsaim
Recent reports reveal growing hostility against foreigners in western Libya. Sudanese refugees fleeing war find hostility instead of safety. In cities like Zawiya and Misrata, protests demanded foreigners’ expulsion.
Some shops refused to serve Sudanese customers. Incidents of bullying were also reported in Tripoli and surrounding areas. Refugees described daily harassment and mounting fear.
Several testimonies confirm arbitrary raids on migrant homes. Security forces and armed groups carried out arrests without legal process. Detainees were transferred to overcrowded detention centers.
Conditions there remain dire, raising fears of torture and abuse. UNHCR reported 313,000 Sudanese registered in Libya by April 2025. Numbers may double to 621,000 by year’s end. The UN warned hate speech and disinformation threaten migrants’ safety. Rights groups said ongoing campaigns increase risks of violence and forced labor.
Authorities deny systematic targeting of foreigners. Yet silence and failure to restrain militias worsen the crisis. The Libyan situation reflects intertwined conflicts. Sudanese refugees remain among the most vulnerable. International action is urgently needed, not just aid. Ending Sudan’s war is key to safe refugee return. Can the Prime Minister intervene and visit Libya? Time is running out as the crisis deepens. And perhaps, before anything else, restore the ambassador. Sudanese women should not tremble at every knock on the door.
