Millions of Sudanese refugees fleeing war face a deadly game of survival as they seek refuge in Libya.
Many, like 17-year-old Farid, escape the horrors of war in Sudan’s Darfur, only to find themselves trapped in Libya’s perilous web of armed militias and forced labor.
Farid, who survived airstrikes in his hometown, recalls his terrifying journey through Kufra, an isolated Libyan region notorious for its mass graves and tribal violence.
Once there, he was forced into unpaid labor, threatened with organ trafficking, or worse, by armed groups.
“They make us fight for them or sell us,” he says.
Libya, a major migration route, has become a prison for thousands of Sudanese refugees.
The United Nations reports over 210,000 Sudanese in the country, accounting for 73% of its refugees.
Most arrive through Kufra, only to face abuse and even death. “I saw a girl beaten and killed,” Farid recalls. “Her mother chose death over staying in Libya.”
The EU has been criticized for its role in funding Libyan authorities to curb migration, as rights groups report systematic abuse.
Migrants face a “snakes and ladders” system of detention, where each time they are caught, they must pay for release, often facing extreme violence or death.
Despite the dangers, refugees like Ahmed, 19, say they would risk it all again.
“Dying at sea is better,” he says. “The sea won’t torture you.”
As the EU continues to support Libya’s border efforts, the situation remains grim for those seeking escape.