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Rwanda Receives 173 More Asylum Seekers Evacuated from Libya Under the Emergency Transit Mechanism

17 June 2026

The 23rd group of 173 asylum seekers evacuated from Libya arrives safely at Kigali International Airport

On June 17, 2026, the Government of Rwanda, through the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), in partnership with UNHCR Rwanda, received the 23rd group of asylum seekers evacuated from Libya under the Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM).

The group comprises 173 asylum seekers, including 85 from Sudan, 66 from Eritrea, 12 from South Sudan, 7 from Ethiopia, and 2 from Somalia. Upon arrival in Rwanda, they were received by government officials and partners before being transferred to the ETM Transit Centre, where they will receive protection and humanitarian assistance while durable solutions are pursued.

Since the launch of the ETM in September 2019, Rwanda has welcomed more than 3,000 refugees and asylum seekers evacuated from Libya. Of these, 2,623 have been successfully resettled to third countries, including Sweden (297), Canada (903), Norway (229), France (332), Finland (271), Belgium (72), the United States (325), the Netherlands (61), Germany (132), and Denmark (1).

The Emergency Transit Mechanism was established following the Government of Rwanda's humanitarian commitment announced by H.E. President Paul Kagame on 23 November 2017 to provide temporary refuge to vulnerable migrants and refugees stranded in Libya. The initiative was informed by reports revealing that thousands of African migrants were trapped in inhumane conditions, including detention, exploitation, abuse and modern-day slave markets.

Guided by its history, values and commitment to humanitarian action, Rwanda continues to provide a safe haven for people in need while working closely with the African Union, UNHCR, and other partners to secure durable solutions, including voluntary repatriation, local integration where applicable, and resettlement to third countries.

The arrival of the 23rd group reaffirms Rwanda's continued solidarity with forcibly displaced people and its commitment to international responsibility-sharing in responding to global displacement challenges.

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