However, it must not be overlooked North Africa is another major region from which migrants are entering the European shores, some by choice, others by compulsion. Nigerian, Malian and other Western African migrants take the routes through Niger, which lead north to Libya either directly or via Algeria. The majority of boat departures from North Africa occurred from the Libyan coast. According to the International Organization for Migration Studies (IOM), nearly 182,000 migrants from Libya have landed in Italy since the start of last year. The IOM estimates that two thirds of the migrants who make their dangerous journey from North Africa to European shores are either victims of human trafficking or exploited for profit.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 20, 2017 04:27 UTC