Rwanda’s Ministry in charge of Emergency Management announced Wednesday that the country had welcomed the 23rd group of asylum seekers transferred from Libya under the Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM).
“Tonight, in partnership with UNHCR Rwanda, Rwanda welcomed the 23rd group of 173 asylum seekers from Libya originating from Sudan (85), Eritrea (66), Somali (2), Ethiopia (7) & South Sudan (12),” the ministry said in statement posted on X.
The arrival highlights the continued plight of migrants and asylum seekers trapped in Libya, including a small number of South Sudanese who have embarked on dangerous journeys in hopes of reaching Europe.
The ETM programme was established as a humanitarian rescue initiative aimed at evacuating vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers from detention centres and precarious conditions in Libya.
Those transferred to Rwanda are provided temporary protection and assistance while durable solutions, including resettlement to third countries, are pursued. Kigali said it has played a significant role in the initiative since its launch nearly seven years ago.
“Since September 2019, Rwanda has received over 3,000 refugees & asylum seekers from Libya. 2,623 of them have been successfully resettled in third countries,” the statement noted.
The ministry reaffirmed the country’s commitment to supporting displaced populations, stating that “Rwanda remains committed to offering refuge to people in need.”
According to the UNHCR Operational Data Portal, approximately 2,173 South Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers are officially registered in Libya. While the figure reflects the presence of South Sudanese nationals along the North African migration route, they constitute only a small fraction of the broader mixed migration flows moving through Libya toward Europe.
UNHCR data indicates that nationals from Sudan account for the overwhelming majority of refugees and asylum seekers registered in Libya, representing about 82.5 percent of the population. Eritreans make up around 7.5 percent, while Syrians account for approximately 4 percent.
Despite South Sudan’s prolonged displacement crisis, most South Sudanese fleeing conflict and economic hardship continue to seek refuge within neighbouring countries in East Africa rather than attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing.
Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned of the risks faced by migrants travelling through Libya, including arbitrary detention, abuse, exploitation and trafficking. The Emergency Transit Mechanism has been widely regarded as a critical lifeline for vulnerable individuals stranded in the country.
South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation did not state the development by the time of publication.
