Libya Hosts Migration Forum in Tripoli

Libya hosted the Trans-Mediterranean Migration Forum (TMMF) in its capital, Tripoli, bringing together leaders from Europe and Africa to address the ongoing migration crisis in the Mediterranean region.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Al-Dabaiba and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, were among the key participants. The forum aimed at finding sustainable solutions to the challenges posed by migration from Africa to Europe.

The North African country is a main departure point for refugees and migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan African countries, risking dangerous sea journeys to seek better lives. The United Nations has registered more than 20,000 deaths and disappearances in the central Mediterranean since 2014, making it one of the most perilous migrant crossings in the world.

In his speech, Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Al-Dabaiba highlighted the pressures on Libya, stating that Europe is using all means to prevent migrants, while Africa pushes those in need. "Libya faces pressure from both the north and the south," he added.

Al-Dabaiba also criticized the current financial approach to the crisis, saying that there has been money spent for nearly 50 years on this problem, and it has not been solved. "This money must be spent in the countries of origin, not in the sea, not in lifeboats, not in the desert, and not in the detention camps, whether in Libya or Europe," he added.

Libya, which is still struggling to recover from years of war and chaos after the 2011 NATO-backed overthrow of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi, has been criticized over the treatment of migrants and refugees. Accusations from rights groups range from extortion to slavery, while smugglers and human traffickers have also taken advantage of the climate of instability in the country.

As of January 2024, there were more than 706,000 migrants in Libya, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said in May.