Libya bans entry of citizens from four African countries

The eastern-based government in Libya has announced a new immigration measure banning citizens of four African countries from entering its territory through all official entry points.

According to a decree issued on Tuesday by authorities in Benghazi, nationals of Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia are no longer permitted to enter Libya through land borders, airports, or seaports. The decision was announced by the administration led by Prime Minister Osama Hamad, which controls eastern Libya and is allied with military commander Khalifa Haftar.

Government officials said the move is part of an effort to reorganize and better regulate the entry of foreign nationals into the North African country. While authorities did not provide detailed reasons for selecting the four countries, officials described the measure as an administrative step aimed at improving border management and migration controls.

The ban includes all forms of entry into territories controlled by the eastern administration. However, several categories of people have been exempted from the restriction. These include accredited diplomats, consular officials, and their immediate family members from the affected countries.

In addition, professionals working in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and related medical services will still be allowed to enter Libya, provided they possess valid employment contracts and receive the necessary approvals from the relevant government agencies.

Libya has remained politically divided for years, with rival administrations operating in different parts of the country. The internationally recognized government, headed by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, is based in Tripoli in western Libya, while the eastern administration operates from Benghazi.

The country has faced significant political and security challenges since the fall of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 following a NATO-backed uprising. The power vacuum that followed led to years of conflict and instability, contributing to the emergence of rival political and military factions.

Over the years, Libya has become one of the main transit routes for migrants and refugees attempting to reach Europe across the Mediterranean Sea. Many people fleeing conflict, economic hardship, and insecurity in various African countries pass through Libya in hopes of reaching European shores.

The migration issue has placed significant pressure on Libyan authorities and international organizations working in the country. According to data released by the United Nations earlier this year, more than 900,000 migrants are currently living in Libya, making it one of the largest migrant-hosting countries in the region.

Observers say the latest restriction could have implications for migration flows across North Africa, particularly for individuals from the four affected countries.

However, Libyan authorities have not indicated how long the measure will remain in effect or whether additional countries could be added to the list in the future.

For now, officials maintain that the decision is intended to strengthen border controls and improve the management of foreign nationals entering the country amid ongoing efforts to address migration and security concerns.