Khartoum, October 23 (Darfur24)
Hundreds of Sudanese refugees held at the Qanfudha detention center in the Libyan city of Benghazi are reportedly facing worsening humanitarian conditions, according to eyewitnesses.
A former detainee, who requested anonymity, told Darfur24 that hundreds of Sudanese nationals were arrested on the streets and at checkpoints, then transferred to the Qanfudha facility without being presented to the Public Prosecution or informed of the reasons for their detention.
He said he was detained about a month ago at the entrance to Sirte, along with more than 40 Sudanese, and later transferred to Qanfudha before being released after paying 500 Libyan dinars — about 250,000 Sudanese pounds.
According to the witness, conditions inside the center are dire, with an acute shortage of food, drinking water, and healthcare. He added that around 400 detainees are crammed into a ward built to hold just 50 people, and that dozens of Sudanese families — including women, children, and the elderly — are being held in inhumane conditions that violate basic human rights standards.
Another witness from the border town of Kufra, who was recently released, said the Qanfudha center receives more than 20 Sudanese detainees daily, including families and children. He confirmed that financial settlements are being conducted inside the center without any legal procedures or referral to judicial authorities.
Al-Fadil Mahmoud Muhammad, a member of the Sudanese community in Libya, told Darfur24 that most of the detainees were arrested by the Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency for entering Libya without completing official entry procedures.
He said coordination is underway with Libyan authorities to deport them to Sudan under a voluntary return program expected to begin in November.
According to the UNHCR, Libya hosts about 357,000 Sudanese refugees — including 193,000 in Kufra, 80,000 in Tripoli, and 10,000 in Benghazi. Misrata hosts 7,248 refugees, Zawiya 6,190, and Al-Jafara 20,443. In eastern Libya, Derna shelters 5,642, Tobruk 5,768, and Jebel Akhdar 3,822.