Libya Expels Aid Organizations Amid Accusations of Ethnic Manipulation

The expulsion marks a significant turn in Libya's handling of migrant issues, raising concerns for humanitarian efforts.

Libyan authorities have taken a controversial step by expelling several prominent aid organizations, accusing them of a scheme to alter the country’s demographic structure by fostering increased settlement of African migrants. Ten organizations, including well-known groups such as Doctors Without Borders, the UN refugee agency, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, are affected by this directive.

The Internal Security Authority, represented by spokesman Salem Gheit, described the aid organizations' actions as a deliberate attempt to undermine Libya’s demographic balance. “This plan to settle migrants of African origin in our country represents a hostile act,” he stated on Thursday, drawing parallels to a recent, similarly contentious move made by neighboring Tunisia, which had faced condemnation for perceived anti-Black racism.

Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been grappling with internal strife, leading to rampant human trafficking and the establishment of armed militia-run detention centers filled with migrants experiencing severe abuse. The country has become a central transit point for thousands of African migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean into Europe.

In light of increasing hostility, Doctors Without Borders recently halted operations in Libya, citing harassment of their staff by Libyan authorities. The organization expressed concerns regarding the implications of the government's decision, stating, “Our organization is very concerned about the consequences that these orders will have on the health of patients and on the safety of humanitarian workers.”

The UN's refugee agency, which has been present in Libya for over three decades, defended its operations, clarifying that the individuals they assist are refugees in desperate need. UNHCR spokesman William Spindler emphasized their compliance with Libyan authorities and ongoing dialogues for clarification regarding recent actions.

Among the accusations leveled against the aid groups by Libya's International Security Authority was the claim of enabling “illegal migrants” through the distribution of essential resources, allegedly leading these individuals to view Libya as a permanent residence rather than a crossing point. However, many migrants do not wish to settle in Libya, with countless reports detailing the harrowing treatment faced by sub-Saharan Africans in the nation, including widespread rights violations and violence.

In a chilling account, a Sudanese refugee detailed her trauma while enslaved in Libya, sharing her experiences of abuse and systemic racism. Such harrowing narratives continue to highlight the dire conditions faced by vulnerable populations in the country amidst escalating tensions.