Tripoli, Libya — June 24, 2026 – The Libyan government in the eastern region, led by Osama Hamad and aligned with military commander Khalifa Haftar, has implemented a travel ban affecting citizens from Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
The ban, effective immediately, restricts entry through all land, sea, and air ports, with exceptions for diplomats and health and education sector workers. This decision, announced on June 24, 2026, is a response to the growing number of migrants transiting through Libya en route to Europe.
The move reflects the Benghazi — based government’s toughening stance on migration and security concerns, particularly as the bodies of migrants continue to wash ashore along the eastern Libyan coast following capsizes.
The political instability that followed the fall of Moammar Gadhafi in 2011 has left Libya with a fragmented governance landscape, with two competing governments now in power.
The eastern government’s ban targets countries that are significant sources of migrants attempting the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean.
The United Nations estimates that over 900,000 migrants and refugees are currently in Libya, with Sudanese accounting for the largest group. Human rights organizations have documented mass crackdowns on refugees in both eastern and western Libya, with thousands arrested. UN investigators have also reported abuses in government-run detention centers, including forced labor, beatings, rapes, and torture.
The implications of this ban are significant, potentially affecting migration routes through Libya and straining relations between Libya and the affected African nations, as well as the international community.
The long — term effects on Libya’s relationship with these countries and the international community, as well as on ongoing efforts to address the migration crisis and improve the human rights situation in Libya, remain uncertain.
As the situation evolves, it is essential to monitor the impact of the ban on migration routes and the human rights situation in Libya.
The international community must continue to advocate for the protection of migrants and refugees while working towards a sustainable solution to the migration crisis in the region.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: Rédaction Africanews
