Rwanda, AU, and UNHCR Extend Agreement to Relocate African Migrants from Libya to Rwanda Until 2025

Rwanda, in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), has extended an agreement to relocate African migrants from Libyan camps to Rwanda. The original agreement, signed in September 2019, has now been renewed until December 31, 2025. This move aims to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis where African migrants, detained in Libyan camps while trying to reach Europe, are given refuge in Rwanda.

The renewed agreement underscores the commitment of Rwanda, the AU, and the UNHCR to ensure the protection of refugees and migrants who will be transferred to Rwanda. It also highlights their shared goal of working together to address the issue of migrants attempting to cross into Europe in dangerous conditions. According to a joint statement released by the three parties, 2,300 migrants have already been relocated to Rwanda under this initiative. These migrants come from a range of African countries, including Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Guinea, and Mali.

In 2019, Rwanda expressed its willingness to host up to 30,000 migrants from Libya as part of this humanitarian effort. This initiative remains a critical part of the global response to the migrant crisis, with Rwanda continuing to play a key role in providing safety and support to those in need.

The collaboration between Rwanda, the AU, and the UNHCR highlights the ongoing regional and international efforts to manage the challenges posed by migration and ensure the protection of vulnerable individuals.