Lilian Nyiva
Rwanda has received 173 asylum seekers evacuated from Libya under the Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM), a humanitarian programme supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Diverse Group of Asylum Seekers
According to Rwanda's Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA), the latest group includes 12 South Sudanese nationals, alongside asylum seekers from Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia. The group arrived in Kigali as part of ongoing efforts to provide protection to vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers stranded in Libya.
Emergency Transit Mechanism
The ETM was established through a partnership between the Government of Rwanda, the African Union and UNHCR to evacuate refugees and asylum seekers from dangerous conditions in Libya. Many of those rescued have endured detention, violence, exploitation and human trafficking while attempting to migrate through the North African country.
Temporary Protection and Durable Solutions
Under the programme, evacuees are granted temporary protection in Rwanda while UNHCR assesses their cases and works to secure long-term solutions. These include resettlement in third countries, voluntary return when conditions allow, or other legal pathways.
Rwanda's Continued Humanitarian Role
The Ministry said the latest arrival marks the 23rd group of asylum seekers received from Libya since the programme was launched in 2019. Since then, Rwanda has hosted more than 3,000 refugees and asylum seekers through the initiative, with over 2,600 later resettled to third countries.
Rwanda has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting displaced people through international humanitarian partnerships, with the Emergency Transit Mechanism continuing to provide a critical lifeline for vulnerable individuals evacuated from Libya.
