Migrant Smuggling Data and Research

Key locations
There is much to suggest that the control of smugglers over migratory
routes in the region, as well as the need for migrants to resort to the services
of smugglers, remains high (European Commission, Directorate General for
Migration and Home Affairs, 2015; Sorensen, 2006). Traditionally, the crossing of
the Sahara, in order to move from sub-Saharan Africa to North Africa, has been
facilitated by a smuggler as the harsh terrain necessitates the help of someone
who is accustomed to it. This is particularly evident for journeys from Agadez to
Sabha, from Dongola (Sudan) to Kufra or Sabha, and across the Algerian desert
and into Libya (Tamanrasset to Djanet or Debdeb) (Malakooti, 2013a).
Moving through Libya, once one has entered through one of its southern
borders, is also very difficult and requires a smuggler. This is due to the ongoing
political instability, which has led to conflict in certain parts of the country and
the presence of checkpoints across the country, established by both State and
non-State actors (Malakooti, 2015a).
Key actors
Members of certain Saharan tribes are known to be active in the smuggling
business because of their strong knowledge of the desert and familiarity with
crossing it. The historic marginalization of such tribes under Gadhafi’s regime
also encouraged entry into the smuggling business for the sake of earning a
livelihood (Reitano, Adal, Shaw, 2014:4).
Members of the Tuareg tribe tend to dominate routes through North Niger
and Algeria and into Ghat and Ghadames in Libya. Members of the Tebu tribe
are thought to be active on routes through the Tibesti Mountains and on some
routes through the western part of Kufra (Police officers and border post officials
in this area are often Tebu, which likely helps facilitate passage for smugglers).
Members of the Zway tribe are believed to be controlling most of the smuggling
routes to the eastern part of Kufra from Sudan and Chad. There has also been
some competition between the Zway and the Tebu to control the smuggling
routes in and out of Kufra, particularly because the local economy has been so
dependent on this business (Malakooti, 2013a).
The effect of the conflict in Libya
There are suggestions that the conflict in Libya that began in 2014 has led
to more groups entering the smuggling trade as a way to fund their activities
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4. North Africa