Sudanese Refugees Suffer Horrific Abuse in Libya Amid Ongoing Crisis

In a troubling revelation, Sudanese refugees who fled to Libya in search of safety and better opportunities have described horrific experiences of abuse and trafficking. Many families, like Layla and Salma, were initially displaced by the civil war in Sudan that escalated in 2023. After facing violence and deteriorating conditions in Egypt, they were lured to Libya by promises of jobs and improved living conditions. Upon their arrival, refugees reported being held hostage by traffickers, who physically abused them and extorted additional funds. Layla recounted her family’s ordeal, which included her daughter being raped and threats made against her other children. With no resources to escape and fearing eviction, Layla expressed her despair, saying, "We have barely any food... I feel like I'm going to lose my mind." Salma shared similarly harrowing accounts of her family being detained in warehouses and subjected to brutal treatment. She described a "rape room" where women were assaulted, leaving her traumatized and with the burden of an unwanted pregnancy, leading to her abandonment by her husband. The UN reports that over 210,000 Sudanese refugees currently reside in Libya, where many encounter a harsh reality starkly different from their aspirations. Human rights organizations have highlighted the escalating violence against refugees, including systemic sexual abuse in both unofficial and official detention facilities. As conditions continue to deteriorate with over 12 million people displaced in Sudan, experts confirm that nearly half the population is in urgent need of food aid. The situation remains dire for Sudanese women and children who sought refuge in Libya only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of violence and desperation.

Sudanese women fleeing civil war are facing horrific abuses in Libya, including rape and trafficking. Many have come to Libya believing they would find safety and better job opportunities, only to encounter a "living hell". Layla, a pseudonym for one refugee, escaped Sudan with her husband and six children. After being held hostage by traffickers upon crossing into Libya, Layla and her family experienced violence and intimidation. Tragically, her daughter was raped by a man known to the family, while her son faced bullying and threats from local children. In a similar distressing account, Salma recounted months of torture after crossing the border, where her family was kept in a trafficker-run warehouse. She was separated from her husband, and both her children endured abuse. Salma became pregnant from the assaults and was abandoned by her husband shortly afterward, leaving her and her children to fend for themselves. Jamila, another Sudanese refugee, shared experiences of repeated rapes involving her daughters and herself, as well as the indifference of local authorities to their plight. Refugees in Libya, who are not recognized under international law, face systemic abuse, particularly in unofficial detention sites. The United Nations reports that over 210,000 Sudanese refugees are currently in Libya as a result of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has displaced millions and exacerbated famine conditions. The situation continues to deteriorate for migrants and refugees in Libya, raising urgent concerns over their safety and well-being.

Twenty individuals are reported missing after a small boat capsized in rough seas approximately 20 miles off the coast of Libya. The incident occurred on Monday night when the six-meter vessel, carrying 27 passengers, departed from Zuwara, Libya. According to seven survivors who later reached the Italian island of Lampedusa, the boat began taking on water approximately five hours into the journey, leading to panic and the unfortunate fall of 20 passengers into the sea. The survivors included six adults from Syria, Egypt, and Sudan, as well as an eight-year-old boy. They described strong winds and rough sea conditions, which contributed to the vessel's tilt and eventual distress. Initial search efforts by Italian authorities were prompted under the assumption that the boat had capsized near Lampedusa, but witness accounts redirected focus to the area where the individuals fell overboard. Italian coastguard and police have since ceased active search operations and notified the relevant authorities in Libya and Malta regarding the missing individuals. This incident follows another maritime tragedy earlier in the week off Tunisia, where two people, including a five-year-old child, lost their lives in a separate boat breakdown. The organization Alarm Phone, which assists distressed migrants at sea, expressed condolences for the victims and highlighted the ongoing dangers faced by those attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in search of safety and a better life.