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Libyan authorities have accused humanitarian organizations of deliberately encouraging African migrants to settle in the country, claiming it is part of a plot to alter Libya’s ethnic composition. In response, officials have ordered the closure of ten aid groups, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), and the Norwegian Refugee Council.
“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,” said Internal Security Authority spokesman Salem Gheit on Thursday.
The rhetoric echoes similar accusations made by Tunisia two years ago, which were widely condemned as racist. Both Libya and Tunisia serve as major transit points for African migrants seeking to reach Europe.
Aid Groups Under Pressure
MSF recently suspended its work in Libya, citing government harassment. “Our organisation is very concerned about the consequences that these orders will have on the health of patients and on the safety of humanitarian workers,” the group said in a statement.
UNHCR, which provides humanitarian aid to displaced people, rejected the claim that it was supporting illegal migration. “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,” spokesman William Spindler said.
One of the key accusations against aid groups is that they are encouraging migrants to settle in Libya by offering food, medical aid, and shelter. However, many African migrants and refugees in Libya have long reported severe abuse, including enslavement, rape, and murder.
A Sudanese refugee trafficked in Libya shared her experience of mistreatment: “He used to call me a ‘disgusting black.’ He raped me and said: ‘This is what women were made for.'”
A Deepening Crisis
Libya has remained in turmoil since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, with the country now divided between rival governments and armed militias controlling vast areas. Human rights groups have accused Libyan militias of running brutal detention centers for migrants, while the Libyan coastguard has been criticized for failing to rescue those stranded at sea.
With aid organizations now being expelled, the situation for migrants and refugees in Libya is expected to deteriorate even further.
