Driven from home by desperation and blocked from European shores, hundreds of stranded migrants are resigned to staying in conflict-hit Libya, even while struggling to get by on odd jobs. Many left countries riddled by conflict, poverty and corruption to try to cross the Mediterranean in rubber boats from Libya, a hub for irregular migration to Europe. Those who were stopped by the coastguard and returned to the North African country, itself wracked by chaos for a decade, now form the backbone of an informal labour market. But European nations' determination to prevent migrants reaching their territory via a host of North African countries is as strong as ever. Brahim said he would be willing to settle permanently in Libya, "if there is work and the situation improves".

Source: The North Africa Journal May 21, 2021 10:52 UTC