Sudan’s Refugees in Libya: A Brutal Game of Survival
The perilous journey of Sudanese refugees through Libya is a harrowing test of survival, where they navigate a landscape of abuse, forced labor, and exploitation. After escaping the horrors of war in Sudan, many find themselves trapped in an unending cycle of violence and suffering. Libya, torn apart by years of conflict, has become a dangerous transit hub, where armed groups, smugglers, and corrupt authorities exploit refugees at every turn. The path to safety resembles a game of ‘snakes and ladders,’ where every step forward can lead to devastating setbacks.
Farid, a 17-year-old refugee from Sudan’s North Darfur state, fled after witnessing relentless airstrikes and massacres. He survived two days at sea on an overcrowded boat before being rescued by a German NGO. His journey through Libya was marked by unimaginable hardship. In Kufra, he was forced into labor under inhumane conditions, paid nothing, and threatened with being sold to rival militias. The region, controlled by armed groups, treats refugees as mere commodities — forcing them into slavery, organ trafficking, or violent militias. His chilling testimony underscores the brutal reality Sudanese refugees face daily.
According to the U.N., Sudanese refugees make up 73% of all refugees in Libya, with numbers growing daily. Many who make it to cities like Ajdabiya or Tripoli encounter rampant violence. Women, in particular, endure extreme abuse, including sexual violence and murder. Farid recalled seeing a girl brutally raped and killed, her mother left with no choice but to take her body back to Sudan. For many, Libya offers no sanctuary — just a different kind of war. The conditions in detention centers and migrant camps are akin to modern-day slavery, with traffickers and militia groups profiting from their suffering.
Ahmed, a 19-year-old refugee, described the ‘snakes and ladders’ system of migration in Libya. Refugees must pay their way through each checkpoint, from Kufra to Zawiya, only to be recaptured and forced to start over. Smugglers and authorities operate a ruthless network of detention centers, where beatings, torture, and extortion are routine. He detailed the ‘small boat lottery,’ where those who can pay up to $15,000 stand a better chance of reaching Europe, while the poorest are left to face continued torment. Many, like Ahmed, would rather risk drowning at sea than endure further cruelty in Libya.
Despite widespread reports of human rights violations, the European Union has funneled over 465 million euros into Libya since 2015, funding border control and detention facilities. A 2023 U.N. report confirmed crimes against humanity in these centers, yet European authorities continue to support Libyan forces. Refugee advocates argue that outsourcing immigration control to unstable nations only fuels further abuse, leaving vulnerable refugees at the mercy of traffickers and corrupt officials. The EU insists that funds go through implementing partners, yet the brutal conditions for Sudanese refugees remain unchanged.
As Humanity 1 sailed toward Italy, Ahmed reflected on his journey. With war ravaging Sudan and Libya offering no hope, he had no choice but to risk everything. “I don’t want to be killed by my brothers in Sudan,” he said. “Dying at sea is better. The sea will not torture you.” His words capture the grim reality of Sudanese refugees — trapped between war, abuse, and an unforgiving sea, with no real escape in sight.
