Rwanda, in partnership with the African Union Commission and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), has announced the extension of an agreement to resettle African refugees stranded in Libya.
The memorandum of understanding, originally signed in September 2019, will now remain in effect until December 31, 2025.
Since the agreement’s inception, over 2,300 refugees and asylum seekers from various African countries, including Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, and Mali, have been evacuated from Libya.
Of this number, approximately 1,800 have successfully been resettled to third countries.
Rwanda initially expressed its readiness to accommodate up to 30,000 refugees from Libya.
The extension of the agreement signifies the country’s continued commitment to providing safe haven and protection to those fleeing conflict and persecution.
The UNHCR has pledged its support to Rwanda by providing essential services, such as shelter, food, healthcare, and other necessary assistance to the evacuated refugees during their stay in the country.
The ongoing instability in Libya, exacerbated by years of conflict and economic hardship, has created a humanitarian crisis for many Africans seeking refuge.
The extension of this agreement offers a glimmer of hope for those trapped in dangerous conditions and provides a pathway to a more secure future.