The African Union (AU), the Government of Rwanda, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have joined forces to address the critical situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Libya. With over 55,000 individuals registered with the UNHCR, approximately 4,700 people are currently trapped in dire conditions inside detention centers in Libya. These individuals urgently require evacuation to ensure their safety and access to essential support.
The initiative stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed on September 10, 2019, in response to the escalating security crisis in and around the Libyan capital, Tripoli. This agreement was facilitated by the generous offer from Rwandan President H.E. Paul Kagame in November 2017, who proposed to assist in the humanitarian efforts aimed at rescuing and protecting vulnerable migrants and refugees.
The Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM) established by this partnership aims to provide immediate protection to refugees and asylum seekers, particularly children and youth at risk. The mechanism will operate under the auspices of the African Union Commission, with Rwanda leading the Special Technical Committee on Migration, Refugees, and Displaced Persons, in line with the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention.
Under the joint agreement, the first group of 500 individuals needing international protection will be evacuated from Libya. This group mainly consists of people from the Horn of Africa and includes vulnerable children and youth. Upon arrival in Rwanda, UNHCR will work to secure durable solutions for these evacuees. Some may be resettled in third countries, while others could return to countries where they were granted asylum or back to their home nations, provided it is safe to do so. Additionally, some individuals may receive permission to remain in Rwanda, pending agreement from the appropriate authorities.
Since the signing of the MoU for the Emergency Transit Mechanism, 190 individuals have already been evacuated from Libya to Rwanda in two phases. This initiative is part of a broader effort by UNHCR, which has successfully evacuated over 4,400 individuals from Libya since 2017. This includes 2,900 evacuees facilitated through the Emergency Transit Mechanism in Niger and 425 people relocated to European countries through the Emergency Transit Centre in Romania.
As this collaboration continues, many are left wondering: How will these efforts impact the lives of the evacuated individuals? With the ongoing support of the AU, Rwanda, and UNHCR, there is hope that these vulnerable populations will find safety and the chance for a better future.