Authorities in eastern Libya have announced a new policy prohibiting citizens of Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia from entering territories under their control through land borders, airports, and seaports.
The decision was issued by the administration based in Benghazi, which governs eastern Libya and is aligned with military leader Khalifa Haftar. Officials described the measure as part of efforts to reorganize and regulate the entry of foreign nationals into the country.
According to the directive, the restrictions will apply across all official entry points within areas controlled by the eastern administration. However, certain categories of individuals will remain exempt from the ban.
Diplomats, consular staff, and their immediate family members from the affected countries will still be permitted to enter. The policy also allows entry for professionals working in sectors such as education, healthcare, and related services, provided they possess valid employment contracts and obtain the required approvals from relevant authorities.
Libya has long served as a major transit point for migrants and asylum seekers seeking to reach Europe through the Mediterranean Sea. The country’s migration challenges intensified following the overthrow of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, an event that ushered in years of political instability and security challenges.
Since 2014, Libya has remained divided between rival political and military factions, resulting in competing administrations in the east and west of the country. While the Benghazi-based authorities control much of eastern and southern Libya, the internationally recognized government operates from the capital, Tripoli.
Recent data indicate that Libya currently hosts more than 900,000 migrants from various countries, many of whom are escaping conflict, economic hardship, and instability in their home nations.
The latest restrictions are expected to have significant implications for migration flows and labor movement across the region as authorities continue efforts to manage border control and immigration policies.
