AU issues all out appeal for response to Libyan migrant crisis

21 Novembre 2017

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, November 21 (Infosplusgabon) -  The African Union Commission has appealed for logistical support from all AU member states to airlift and repatriate African migrants stuck in Libya, Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said Tuesday.

Mahamat termed the latest reports of slave trade and slavery, torture and inhumane treatment of migrants a "practice of a foregone era," which requires immediate response.

The Chairperson said a Special Envoy, AU Commissioner for Social Affairs Amira ElFadi has been dispatched to Libya, alongside the AU Commission on Human and People's Rights, to investigate the cases of slavery and trafficking.

"We requested logistical support to repatriate  the migrants to their countries of origin," he told a news conference.

"In order to deal with the situation in Libya, I expect frank cooperation from the Libyan government. I appeal to all citizens of Africa to make financial contributions to assist the migrants to return. Those countries with the means to facilitate the evaluation should come forward," Mahamat said.

Rwanda has offered to assist in the resettlement of the migrants who do not wish to return home. But the Chairperson said the organisation is looking for lasting solution.

"We want a lasting solution to this conflict. This is a top agenda as we prepare to hold a Summit with the European Union (EU)," Mahamat said.

Several migrants have been held in warehouses across Libya and have been subjected to inhumane treatment, including slavery, torture and are subjected to auction.

The AU believes the armed movements are partly involved in the trade and trafficking of migrants.

The AU Chairperson said the situation has been complicated by the lack of a central authority which has enabled traffickers of all types of illicit items to flourish.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/OLM/ GABON 2017

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