Moroccan consulate in Tripoli steps up efforts to repatriate migrants from Libya

Morocco’s Consulate General in Tripoli is continuing efforts to accelerate the repatriation of Moroccan migrants stranded in Libya, working closely with Libyan authorities to overcome administrative hurdles, including identity verification and the issuance of temporary travel documents for those who have lost their passports.

A consular source told Hespress that several Moroccan migrants held at a detention center in the city of Misrata completed all legal and administrative procedures and returned to Morocco on July 14.

Another group was being held at a migrant detention center east of the Libyan capital, Tripoli. According to the source, around 12 people from that group have already left Libya, while others remain stranded after losing their passports.

“The consulate is currently working to resolve their situation by issuing temporary travel permits to facilitate their departure within the next few days,” the source said.

The official added that another group of Moroccan migrants is still awaiting the processing of its files by Libya’s Interior Ministry, which coordinates with the International Organization for Migration to purchase airline tickets for undocumented migrants of various nationalities.

The source stressed that Moroccan cases are handled individually rather than collectively. Once a person claims Moroccan nationality, authorities first determine whether the individual possesses a passport or a national identity card.

In cases where migrants lack official identification documents, consular services must undertake lengthier procedures, including collecting fingerprints and photographs and sending them to Moroccan authorities for verification.

“This process takes time and depends on the documents available in each case,” the source said, emphasizing that the consulate does not have full control over the timeline.

The official noted that it is impossible to determine the exact number of Moroccans currently in Libya, as they fall into two categories: those held by known government institutions and those located in areas outside official control.

“When inquiries are made about the second group, authorities often respond that they have no information about them,” the source said.

Most Moroccan migrants entered Libya illegally through smuggling networks, making it difficult to trace or count them, according to the official.

The source also highlighted the strict security procedures imposed by Libyan authorities. Migrants undergo detailed background checks that can take up to a month before exit permits are granted to ensure they are not wanted in connection with criminal offenses or other legal cases.

During this period, migrants remain in administrative detention pending the results of the investigations.

The consular source added that irregular migration routes from Libya to Europe have effectively come to a halt due to tighter security measures imposed by the European Union, making successful crossings increasingly rare.

“Many migrants arrive in Libya only to discover the reality on the ground,” the source said, noting that undocumented migrants are often arrested for entering the country without valid visas.

Such arrests can result in detention, fines and the confiscation of passports, turning what many hoped would be a journey to Europe into a prolonged ordeal.

The source added that families in Morocco frequently bear the financial burden of supporting detained relatives and covering the costs of their eventual return home.