Rwanda Agrees To Host African Refugees Trapped In Libya

Riyaz Patel

Rwanda, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the African Union (AU) reached agreement Tuesday to evacuate refugees out of Libya. 

Under the terms of the deal, Kigali will receive and provide protection to refugees and asylum-seekers who are currently being held in detention centres in in the North African country.

Children and youth at risk are among the first group of 500 people, predominantly from the Horn of Africa, expected to be evacuated in the coming weeks.

“While some may benefit from resettlement to third countries, others will be helped to return to countries where asylum had previously been granted, or to return to their home countries if it is safe to do so,” UNHCR said.

Some may be given permission to remain in Rwanda subject to agreement by local authorities.

Evacuation flights are expected to begin in the coming weeks, with the AU providing political support and