Originally, Operation Sophia was set to expire Sunday. The international aid group, Doctors Without Borders, described the decision to halt Operation Sophia as “irresponsible and reckless”. In the meantime, only two ships continue to patrol the central Mediterranean as part of Operation Sophia. Since its inception, Operation Sophia has claimed to have arrested 150 traffickers and rescued 45,000 people. This awkward attempt to reform Operation Sophia, points to a deeper issue regarding the reform of the EU’s “Dublin asylum rules,” which state that the country of first arrival must process asylum seekers.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 02, 2019 06:33 UTC