Migrants, IOM: over 1,000 dead and missing in the central Mediterranean

More than 1,000 migrants died or were reported missing in the central Mediterranean from the beginning of 2024 to 17 August, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Libya announced on X. The number of victims, the IOM specified, was 421 and the number of missing persons 603, a total of 1,024 people. In the same period, the number of migrants intercepted at sea and brought back to Libya was 13,763, including 12,220 men, 947 women, 460 minors and 136 people for whom gender data were not available.

"Over the past two months, the situation in Libya has deteriorated rather rapidly in terms of political, economic and security stability". This was emphasised by the acting head of the United Nations Support Mission (UNSMIL) in the North African country, the US-based Stephanie Koury, expressing concern about "unilateral" moves by some Libyan actors that have "increased tension. Unilateral acts by Libyan political, military and security actors have increased tension, further reinforced institutional and political divisions and complicated efforts for a negotiated political solution," the diplomat added, citing a series of events that have occurred since the beginning of August, including fighting on the outskirts of Tripoli and an attempt to forcibly expel the governor of the Central Bank. "In the absence of renewed political talks that lead to a unified government and elections, we can see where we are heading: more political, financial and security instability," warned Koury, according to whom "Libyans are frustrated with the status quo" and "find it difficult to withdraw money from banks and meet their daily needs". Moreover, 'many express fears that war may break out again'.