Over 1,200 Africans evacuated from Libya

Over 1,200 Africans evacuated from Libya

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has said over 1,200 African migrants, including Nigerians who were stuck in the southern Libyan desert town of Sabha for weeks, have been evacuated and are on their way to Chad.

According to the organisation, other African nationals evacuated include those from Burkina Faso, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, Somalia and Sudan.

IOM said, “There are also women and children among the group evacuated.”

The group, half of whom were Chadian, were among up to 3,000 migrants stranded in Sabha due to fighting.

IOM spokeswoman, Jemini Pandya, said, “A convoy of 15 trucks with 1,206 migrants left Sabha on Sunday for Gatroun and is now en route to Chad.”

She added that “this is the first really big group. We have negotiated safe passage for them.”

 End of an era

Libyans ended Gaddafi’s 42-year rule in August, when rebel fighters stormed the capital.

However, the migrants will be taken to Zouarke, along the Nigerian-Chadian border, a trip that will take a week before going to Faya-Largeau in Chad.

The spokeswoman said, “It is not possible to go directly from Libya into Chad, as the border area is heavily mined.”

She promised that non-Chadian migrants would be brought to their home countries or their intended final destinations.

NP/Adekusibe/Ekata