Libya: Racism and ‘resettlement’ conspiracies fuel fear among Tripoli’s migrants

In Tripoli, Libya, migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa face rising xenophobic protests and conspiracy theories surrounding resettlement plans. On October 1st, a "deadline" was set for foreign migrants to leave the city, but protests failed to materialize due to a teachers' strike and other factors. However, hostile gatherings continue to occur, mainly in central Tripoli since April, fueling hostility towards migrants.

Sub-Saharan Africans, who make up nearly 700,000 people in the area, are particularly vulnerable to threats, including arbitrary detention, torture, and kidnapping.

In June, large crowds of Libyans protested against a "resettlement plan" allegedly orchestrated by the United Nations and the UNHCR, prompting hundreds to block the UNHCR headquarters. The protests were followed by anti-migrant violence, arrests, and an attack on an IOM Migrant Response Centre in western Tripoli. While authorities condemned the attack, they failed to provide updates on subsequent steps taken to address the situation.

Activists and migrant communities accuse the Libyan government of complacency and complicity, noting that migrants are allowed to live and work in the country, sometimes even employed by the government. However, the hostile environment has led to many migrants feeling increasingly unsafe and unable to access public places or find employment.