Libya, hazardous pathway for African migrants streaming to Europe
- 9 years ago
Libya has been the main launch pad for African migrants heading for Europe since the downfall — assisted by NATO countries’ bombers — of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. A disintegrated state, Libya shares long and porous borders with some of the continent’s poorest and most violent countries, leaving the gates wide open to people smugglers. According to Italy’s foreign minister, 10% of Libya’s GDP comes from this trafficking, the money going to militias and terrorist groups.
A migrant from Niger said using the pathways has become commonplace: “In a fast car, it’s three days’ ride here from Arlit, depending on the route you take.”
The main routes are from Mali, Niger and Somalia. They redivide at the Mediterranean Sea, mostly splitting off towards the European coasts of Lampedusa, Sicily and Malta.
Libya used to be a destination in its own right, for some sort of work. Not any more. Too violent, its economy in tatters, the migrants push on through..
A Gambian migrant said: “I was wor
A migrant from Niger said using the pathways has become commonplace: “In a fast car, it’s three days’ ride here from Arlit, depending on the route you take.”
The main routes are from Mali, Niger and Somalia. They redivide at the Mediterranean Sea, mostly splitting off towards the European coasts of Lampedusa, Sicily and Malta.
Libya used to be a destination in its own right, for some sort of work. Not any more. Too violent, its economy in tatters, the migrants push on through..
A Gambian migrant said: “I was wor