Sudanese in Libya detained ‘under harsh conditions’

Sudanese in detention centres in Libya suffer from a worsening humanitarian situation, according to the community in Tripoli. Those who reside in Libya suffer from an increased number of attacks by militant Libyan groups.

An official of the voluntary return of Sudanese nationals initiative, Mohamed Malik, spoke to Radio Dabanga about the situation in Libya. “Armed groups are holding more than 5,000 African immigrants in detention,” he claimed, “including dozens of Sudanese families and invidivuals.”

“There has been an increase in the number of killings and robberies by armed Libyans against immigrants.”

He added that the Sudanese live in harsh conditions in the detention centres. “There is a lack of adequate food and detainees are held in overcrowded rooms.”

Meanwhile, “dozens of Sudanese” have died while trying to cross into Europe via the Mediterranean Sea in the past two weeks, according to Malik.

He criticised the government in Khartoum for ignoring the suffering of the Sudanese in Libya, and for not forming an administration to facilitate a way for those wishing to return to Sudan.

“The government has not responded to our initiative, aimed at encouraging the Sudanese in Libya to voluntarily return.”

He called on the international community, humanitarian and human rights organisations to give heed to the plight of the foreigners living in Libya.

In February this year, Sudanese nationals also reported being subjected to threats, detentions, kidnappings and robberies by armed Libyans.

Refugees

Tens of thousands of Sudanese left their home country to find a livelihood in Libya since Sudan’s relations with Libya improved after the June 1989 coup. When Libyan rebels began to fight the Gaddafi regime in early 2011, Khartoum officially opted for supporting the insurgents. Yet, in 2014 Libyan officials more than once accused Sudan of supporting Islamist militias by sending weapons by air and troops over land.

Khartoum reportedly did not respond to the request of thousands of Sudanese who called for support with their repatriation as they got stuck between the warring parties. A number of Sudanese were killed in attacks.

Sudanese also travel to Libya to attempt to cross the Mediterranean in their quest for a better life. In March this year, more than 45 Darfuris died when the boat carrying them from Libya to Europe sank.

Arms from Sudan

According to a report by the UN Panel of Experts on Libya on the arms embargo imposed on the country, Sudan has continued to violate the embargo and transferred materiel to Libya, some by road, but mainly by air.

In its final report, published on 9 March, the Panel points to several prior violations of the arms embargo by Sudan since the outbreak of the Libyan civil war in 2014.

Interviews with knowledgeable Libyan and foreign sources indicated that Khartoum has been supporting armed groups aligned with the Islamist Fajr Libya groups, including the transfer of military materiel by air to Mitiga airport that those groups have controlled since the revolution.

Related:

Clashes in Libya: Sudan, Darfur rebels exchange accusations (12 February 2016)