Libya’s eastern authorities on Tuesday banned the entry of citizens from Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia, citing a move to reorganise the admission of foreign nationals into the country.
The decision, announced in a decree by the government based in the eastern city of Benghazi, prohibits nationals from the four countries from entering Libya through land, sea and air border crossings.
A government source said the measure was part of efforts to “reorganise foreign nationals’ entry to Libya”.
The ban does not apply to members of accredited diplomatic and consular missions or their families. It also excludes workers in education, medical and related health sectors, provided they secure the necessary approvals and valid employment contracts from Libyan authorities.
Libya has been divided between rival administrations since years of political turmoil following the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.
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The eastern government in Benghazi is aligned with military commander Khalifa Haftar, who controls much of eastern Libya and parts of the south. The internationally recognised administration in Tripoli is headed by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, who came to power through a United Nations-backed process in 2021.
The North African country has become a key departure point for migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe, with many fleeing conflict, poverty and instability in sub-Saharan Africa.
The United Nations estimates that more than 900,000 migrants were living in Libya earlier this year, as authorities continue to face challenges over migration management and border security.
