Benghazi,August 21(Darfur24)
A number of Sudanese refugees in eastern Libya revealed that their relatives were arrested by the Libyan Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency (AIM) on the pretext that they did not have valid residency permits in the country.
The AIM announced on its Facebook page, in separate posts, that it had arrested a number of Sudanese foreigners without official entry stamps or valid residency permits. They were transferred to temporary shelters pending the completion of legal proceedings .
According to what Darfur24 has monitored of these posts, large numbers of Sudanese refugees were arrested in the cities of Derna, Benghazi, Al-Marj, Tobruk, Ajdabiya, and Al-Brega in eastern Libya, in addition to the cities of Jalu and Al-Jufra in the south, and Sirte in central Libya.
Umm Ahmed, a Sudanese refugee residing in Derna, eastern Libya, told Darfur 24 that the Immigration Service launched raids on refugee workplaces and on main roads, arresting several of them, including her 20-year-old son.
She explained that her son had a security clearance card and a health certificate issued by the Libyan authorities, but that this proved ineffective. He was arrested and transferred to a shelter awaiting deportation or release.
Sudanese refugees, who refused to reveal their identities for security reasons, also told Darfur 24 that Libyan authorities in the east no longer recognize the security clearance card, which was issued in the city of Kufra as a border point for refugees entering from Sudan.
In the same context, a member of the Sudanese community in eastern Libya told Darfur 24 that hundreds of Sudanese are being held in Qanfouda prison in Benghazi, in addition to the prisons of Ajdabiya and Kufra, awaiting deportation.
He pointed out that the campaigns are still ongoing, prompting many Sudanese to stay at home for fear of arrest. They could remain in detention for periods exceeding three months before being deported on charges of entering the country illegally.
The source added, “The branch of the Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency in Derna deported 28 Sudanese to the agency’s branch in Benghazi this week, and their families have not yet been able to contact them.”
Another refugee, Ismail Issa, called on the Sudanese authorities to expedite the implementation of voluntary return programs for Sudanese, in light of the intensive campaigns launched by the Libyan authorities.
Issa said he was forced to remain at home to avoid arrest and has become dependent on remittances from his family in Sudan to cover his family’s expenses until he is able to return. Return.
He pointed out that thousands of Sudanese in other cities are facing the same situation and are seeking to return, but the closure of the (Triangle) Road after the Rapid Support Forces took control of it has made the return process difficult.
For its part, the Sudanese Consulate in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi announced the start of registration of Sudanese wishing to return, following the steady improvement in the security situation in the country.
The consulate stated in a press release, a copy of which was received by Darfur 24, that the registration process will be conducted via an electronic link or by visiting the offices of the communities in the regions and municipalities of southern and eastern Libya, including Al-Marj, Al-Bayda, Shahat, Al-Quba, Derna, Tobruk, Al-Brega, Ajdabiya, Jalu, Awjila, Kufra, Sabha, and Al-Jufra.
The consulate emphasized the need to complete the registration process before September 25.