The Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) Commission has concluded a mission to assess migrants of ECOWAS origin in Libya.
The mission to Libya is one of the 3 missions proposed to visit the Magreb States of Libya, and Tunisia in compliance with the decision of the 66th Ordinary Session of the Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
It directed the ECOWAS Commission to take urgent steps to address the situation of stranded ECOWAS Migrants in the Magreb region.
The Libyan mission, which was led by Mr. Usman Obeche as Head of Delegation was to evaluate the plight of stranded West African migrants and consult with relevant authorities and agencies with a view to recommending urgent interventions.
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The delegation observed that West African migrants are subjects of severe vulnerabilities as they continue to face deplorable situations and severe mistreatments
. “Owing to irregular legal status, the migrants face arbitrary detention, limited access to healthcare and basic services, exploitation, trafficking, gender-based violence, and limited access to communication with families.
“Detention facilities remain overstretched, with acute protection concerns for women, children, and other vulnerable groups,” Obeche said.
The mission commended decision of the International Organisation for Migration, IOM and ECOWAS Member States to support voluntary return and reintegration of the stranded migrants, as resources remain insufficient to adequately cater for the high rate of occurrence and population of the victims.
The mission, therefore, underscores the “urgent need for member States to increase efforts and resources as well as to strengthen diplomatic engagement with Libyan authorities to effectively manage this challenge; collaborative action by ECOWAS Member States would provide a common sustainable action to address the challenge in the short, medium and long term.”
Speaking at the conclusion of the mission, Mr. Obeche emphasised: “Our mission confirmed the urgent need for solidarity and swift action to protect stranded West African migrants, uphold their dignity, and ensure safe return and reintegration into their home countries.”
The ECOWAS Commission reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of its citizens abroad and calls for collective action by Member States to address migration challenges in a spirit of regional solidarity.
The ECOWAS team held consultations with relevant Libyan authorities, the IOM mission in Libya, some ECOWAS and other African Diplomatic Missions in Libya, Organised African Migrant Community Leaders, as well as detained migrants during a field visit to the Tajoura Detention Centre in Tripoli.
