Libya returns 170 Sudanese immigrants in coordination with IOM
On Thursday, the Libyan authorities, in cooperation with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), returned 170 Sudanese migrants as part of a voluntary repatriation programme.
The migrants were transported in an aircraft chartered by the IOM from Tripoli’s Mitiga Airport to Khartoum. They had entered Libya illegally in search of work or, as most of them do, in an attempt to reach Italy by sea.
Migrants who attempt journeys to Europe but are intercepted by Libya’s coastguard or whose boats capsize in the Mediterranean are rescued and sent to detention centres across the country.
The IOM gives them the option of returning home. Twice a week, the international organisation organises travel documents and private aircraft to various destinations in Africa for those who wish to return or are held in Libyan detention centres.
Thursday’s flight was the first to return Sudanese nationals.
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