EU plans to hold Africans in camps in Libya run into opposition
African people in a 'detention centre' in Libya
Plans by the EU to hold Africans in camps in Libya in order to prevent them entering Europe have run into opposition from various forces in that country. These plans were announced at the recently concluded EU heads of government conference in Malta. At this conference, EU heads of government confirmed their intention to block, as far as possible, Africans crossing the Mediterranean to arrive in Europe. In this context, the EU voiced its full support for the memorandum of understanding which was struck on 3 February 2017 between the government of Italy and a representative of the Government of National Accord (GNA) which is the armed faction in Libya that is backed by the EU.
The memorandum, which states one of its aims as being to “combat illegal immigration”, includes a provision for the establishment of “temporary hosting camps in Libya, under the exclusive control of the Libyan Interior Ministry” for “irregular migrants……. in anticipation of repatriation or voluntary return to the countries of origin”. However, it soon became clear that many Libyans are opposed to the memorandum and to the efforts of the EU to set up these camps in their country. Reuters reported that the armed groups in the east of Libya rejected the agreement, while mayors from both the south and north of the country voiced their opposition to it. Consequently, it was reported that 10 mayors from towns in south west Libya were secretly flown to Italy on Monday 13 February, where they declared their support for the memorandum. The GNA armed faction controls the capital and areas around it and so would be unable to implement the provisions within the memorandum across the entire territory of the country.
According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) there are currently 34 “detention centres” in Libya where displaced Libyans and migrants from other countries are being held. The German ambassador to Niger has described these as like “concentration camps”. In addition, recent press reports have highlighted the horrific conditions that confront Africans not only in Libya and on the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean but also on the equally dangerous journey across the Sahara desert. The EU’s plans to establish additional camps in Libya demonstrates not only its refusal to accept responsibility for the catastrophic human consequences of its previous and ongoing intervention in north Africa and the Sahel but also its deep seated anti-African racism. It must be opposed.
The memorandum, which states one of its aims as being to “combat illegal immigration”, includes a provision for the establishment of “temporary hosting camps in Libya, under the exclusive control of the Libyan Interior Ministry” for “irregular migrants……. in anticipation of repatriation or voluntary return to the countries of origin”. However, it soon became clear that many Libyans are opposed to the memorandum and to the efforts of the EU to set up these camps in their country. Reuters reported that the armed groups in the east of Libya rejected the agreement, while mayors from both the south and north of the country voiced their opposition to it. Consequently, it was reported that 10 mayors from towns in south west Libya were secretly flown to Italy on Monday 13 February, where they declared their support for the memorandum. The GNA armed faction controls the capital and areas around it and so would be unable to implement the provisions within the memorandum across the entire territory of the country.
According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) there are currently 34 “detention centres” in Libya where displaced Libyans and migrants from other countries are being held. The German ambassador to Niger has described these as like “concentration camps”. In addition, recent press reports have highlighted the horrific conditions that confront Africans not only in Libya and on the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean but also on the equally dangerous journey across the Sahara desert. The EU’s plans to establish additional camps in Libya demonstrates not only its refusal to accept responsibility for the catastrophic human consequences of its previous and ongoing intervention in north Africa and the Sahel but also its deep seated anti-African racism. It must be opposed.
