Latest from Libyan Express
Libyan Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Libyan Express
Trump adviser to visit Tunisia, Libya on North Africa tour
BY Libyan Express Jul 22, 2025 - 05:25 Massad Boulos heads to Tunisia amid U.S. diplomatic push Massad Boulos, senior adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, will arrive in Tunisia on Tuesday as part of a regional tour of North Africa that also includes Morocco, Algeria, and Libya. According to multiple media sources, Boulos is scheduled to meet with Tunisian President Kais Saied and Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti to discuss a range of regional and bilateral issues. The visit comes at a time of heightened diplomatic activity in North Africa, with key topics on Boulos's agenda including the Western Sahara dispute — a long-standing point of contention between Morocco and Algeria — as well as irregular migration and the evolving role of U.S. diplomacy on the African continent. Boulos's North Africa tour follows a recent high-level meeting between President Trump and leaders from five African nations, including the President of Mauritania. It also comes amid rising trade tensions after the Trump administration signalled support for new tariffs on several Maghreb countries. Of Lebanese descent, Massad Boulos is a prominent businessman and the son-in-law of President Trump. He currently serves as a senior adviser on Middle East and Arab world affairs, and has previously outlined his vision for implementing U.S. policy in the region. The visit is being closely watched as a possible indicator of Washington's future engagement in North Africa, especially in light of the region's growing strategic importance and shifting international dynamics. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Libyan Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Libyan Express
Over 867,000 migrants in Libya, most based in the west
BY Libyan Express Jul 22, 2025 - 01:53 Over half are based in the west, with Sudanese, Nigerien, and Egyptian nationals most represented The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has revealed that Libya is currently host to 867,055 migrants, with more than half residing in the western region of the country. The most represented nationalities are Sudanese, Nigerian, and Egyptian. According to the IOM's latest report , adult males comprise 78% of the migrant population, while women and children each account for 11%. The majority — also 78% — are employed in labour-intensive sectors, primarily construction, manufacturing, and agriculture. Despite this, the unemployment rate among migrants stands at 21%, with a particularly high rate among women at 55%, compared to 18% among men. The report also highlights the importance of remittances, with over half of the migrants relying on them as their families' main source of income. On average, the cost of migrating to Libya is estimated at 657 US dollars per person, according to the IOM. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Libyan Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Libyan Express
Bouzriba chairs meeting to review SSA operational challenges
BY Libyan Express Jul 22, 2025 - 02:27 Updated: Jul 22, 2025 - 02:28 SSA holds expanded meeting to review challenges and operations The Head of the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA), Hassan Bouzriba, chaired an expanded meeting on Monday in the Ain Zara district, attended by a number of officers, non-commissioned officers, and personnel from the apparatus. The meeting focused on reviewing operational challenges and exploring institutional mechanisms to address them. Discussions emphasised the importance of maintaining a disciplined and structured environment, while distancing the apparatus from political tensions and unauthorised armed activities. During the session, Bouzriba highlighted the need to reinforce professional standards, enhance internal coordination, and support efforts aimed at improving the performance and public image of the apparatus. Participants described the meeting as constructive, reaffirming their commitment to the organisation's operational goals and to supporting the leadership's efforts to advance its mandate. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Libyan Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Libyan Express
Spain offers €200 million package as EU partners with Mauritania on migration
Spain backs Mauritania with investment and migration deal to curb Atlantic crossings Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón has concluded a landmark visit to Mauritania's capital Nouakchott, marking his third trip to the West African nation in just eighteen months — a clear signal of deepening strategic ties between the two countries amid evolving migration dynamics. Unlike his previous visits in 2023, which were largely shaped by mounting concerns over irregular migration from Mauritania's coastline to the Canary Islands, Sánchez's latest appearance was notably upbeat. Migration numbers have declined significantly since the beginning of this year, in part due to strengthened bilateral cooperation and local enforcement efforts. From Crisis Diplomacy to Strategic Partnership Sánchez's earlier visits — in February and August 2023 — came against a backdrop of domestic political pressure, as Spain faced a sharp increase in irregular migrant arrivals. Seeking to stem the flow, Madrid turned to Nouakchott to negotiate security and migration control agreements. These talks culminated in the signing of a joint declaration between the European Union and Mauritania in February 2024. The agreement, signed in Nouakchott, encompasses security, diplomatic, and economic cooperation, including support for regulated migration routes from Mauritania to Europe — a framework modelled on similar agreements with North African countries. The renewed focus on Mauritania reflects shifts in human trafficking networks. As Tunisia, Libya, and Morocco tightened border controls, traffickers revived alternative routes via Nouakchott and Nouadhibou towards Spain's Atlantic territories. According to Spain's Ministry of the Interior, around 22,300 irregular migrants reached the Canary Islands by August 2025 — more than double the figure recorded during the same period in 2024. Pilot Scheme for Circular Migration During this most recent visit, Sánchez introduced a fresh round of proposals. A central feature was a memorandum of understanding on circular migration, outlining a pilot scheme to recruit Mauritanian workers for seasonal employment in Spain. The agreement stipulates that selected workers — chosen by the Mauritanian authorities on the basis of equal opportunity — must return home upon completion of their contracts. The agreement includes data confidentiality provisions and is valid for one year, renewable upon mutual consent. It forms part of Spain's broader strategy to promote safe, orderly and legal migration pathways — a key pillar of its response to irregular migration. Spain also pledged a €200 million funding package to bolster Spanish private investment in Mauritania. The funding will support green energy projects, feasibility studies, risk guarantees, and financing tools for Spanish firms operating locally. Public Concern and Legal Reforms Despite growing bilateral ties, repeated high-level visits from European officials have sparked concern among some Mauritanian citizens. Critics fear the country may be positioned as Europe's de facto border enforcer or transformed into a permanent host for migrants expelled from the EU. Mauritania's government has rejected these claims, arguing that the country is increasingly becoming a destination, not merely a transit zone. A substantial number of migrants — particularly from conflict-ridden Mali — are now settled in Mauritania, placing pressure on its social services. The Mbera refugee camp alone hosts over 150,000 displaced individuals. In response, the government has adopted a range of internal measures. These include bans on transporting undocumented migrants, stricter border controls, the introduction of updated migration laws, and the establishment of a specialised migration court in February 2025. Mauritania's migration law imposes prison terms of six months to two years for identity fraud, fake documentation, and illegal border crossings. It also authorises deportations and entry bans lasting up to ten years for those violating immigration regulations. Fines may reach 5 million old ouguiyas (roughly £10,000), and additional penalties apply to those who enter or reside illegally. These legal reforms have contributed to the dismantling of smuggling networks, with authorities reporting near-daily arrests and disruptions of trafficking operations. Human Rights Scrutiny Nevertheless, the crackdown has drawn criticism from opposition groups and human rights observers, who accuse the government of carrying out deportations in inhumane conditions. The government strongly denies such claims. In a recent press statement, Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, Mauritania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, asserted that all deportation operations are conducted in full compliance with both national legislation and international human rights agreements. He reaffirmed that the primary mission of the country's security forces is 'to safeguard the population and national territory.' A New Chapter in Bilateral Relations Spain reports a 40% drop in irregular arrivals to the Canary Islands compared to last year — a significant decrease attributed to Mauritania's intensified enforcement efforts. Prime Minister Sánchez has described the current phase as 'a turning point' in bilateral relations. Beyond border control, Sánchez highlighted the expansion of cooperation into new areas — notably trade, investment, and development. He announced the appointment of Spain's first economic and trade attaché to Nouakchott, who will take up the post in September 2025 to support Spanish business interests and institutional presence. Sánchez stressed the importance of Mauritania as Spain's top trading partner in the EU–Africa context, expressing Madrid's intent to expand the partnership through broader EU-led frameworks such as the Global Gateway Initiative and the Africa–Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs. The visit reflects how a crisis-driven relationship rooted in migration control is now evolving into a more strategic and multifaceted alliance between Europe and a key West African partner.
Libyan Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Libyan Express
HNEC, UN review 2025 vote plans
BY Libyan Express Jul 22, 2025 - 04:16 Al-Sayeh, UN discuss election readiness The Chairman of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), Dr Emad Al-Sayeh, met on Monday with Ms Stephanie Koury, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, to review ongoing preparations for the second round of municipal council elections scheduled for 2025. The meeting focused on the Commission's technical and logistical readiness, particularly as the voter card distribution phase nears completion. With this key stage concluding, HNEC is now transitioning into the vote-preparation phase for the targeted municipalities. Dr Al-Sayeh provided an update on the Commission's operational plan and reaffirmed HNEC's commitment to conducting the elections in a transparent, impartial, and well-organised manner. He stressed that the Commission is working according to a clear timeline developed in close coordination with relevant national bodies and international partners. The discussions also addressed political and technical challenges affecting the electoral process, especially those linked to activating international support mechanisms facilitated through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Both sides emphasised the importance of ensuring a stable and coherent environment to implement the electoral roadmap effectively. Established in 2012, the High National Elections Commission is an independent national institution mandated by Libyan law to organise and oversee all electoral processes, including presidential, parliamentary, and municipal elections. HNEC plays a central role in safeguarding electoral integrity and works to foster voter participation and electoral awareness in partnership with local and international stakeholders. Ms Koury reiterated the United Nations' full support for the Commission, noting the UN's ongoing role in providing technical and advisory assistance to ensure the success and credibility of Libya's electoral processes. The meeting reflects the continued collaboration between Libyan institutions and international partners in supporting a peaceful and democratic transition through inclusive and well-managed elections. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
