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Libya: New displacements in Kufra as concerns for IDPs remain high

One year following the Libyan uprising, IDPs continue to face major protection concerns. At the beginning of 2012 around 60,000 IDPs, principally from Sirte and Bani Walid, returned to their homes. However, UNHCR estimated that there were still over 93,000 IDPs in Libya, a significant proportion of whom are from tribes alleged to be loyal to Qadhafi, such as the Tawergha and Mesheshiya.

Human rights organisations report that authorities in and around Misrata have prevented thousands from returning to the towns of Tawergha, Tomina and Kararim. They have further failed to stop local militias from looting and burning homes in these areas, and carrying out reprisal attacks against IDPs who allegedly supported Qadhafi. Many of these IDPs have been subject to abductions, arbitrary detention and torture.

Meanwhile, the south-eastern town of Kufra saw inter-ethnic clashes between the Tibu and Zwai tribes. The two groups have a long history of violence, and the Tabu had long complained of discrimination under Qadhafi. This recent event has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 100 people, and the displacement of half the population. As of 23 February, there was reportedly no electricity, water or fuel in the town.

In a briefing to the UN Security Council at the end of February, the Secretary General’s Special Representative for Libya welcomed the adoption of a national electoral law, but identified the lack of measures to ensure the participation of displaced people in election proceedings.

See also: IDMC Libya country page

Somalia: Forced evictions add to the IDP crisis in Mogadishu

A renewed offensive against insurgents groups, by Somali government forces and troops of the African Union, Ethiopia and Kenya, has sparked large-scale displacement from the “Afgoye corridor” and other areas to the capital Mogadishu.

The head of the National Disaster Management Agency told IRIN that between 60,000 and 66,000 people had arrived in Mogadishu since mid February. Civil society activists fear that the number of people fleeing to Mogadishu will increase as military pressure on Al-Shabaab mounts in southern Somalia.

IDPs in some parts of Mogadishu are further facing forced evictions from government-owned buildings. According to the Protection Cluster update (10 February), the government plans to evict some 2,500 IDPs, many of whom had been displaced from the Hamar Wayne, Waberi and Shibis districts of the capital. Humanitarian agencies have raised concerns over the eviction procedures and are calling on the government to find alternative accommodation for IDPs.

Meanwhile, on 22 February, the UN Security Council demanded in Resolution 2036 that all parties to Somalia’s conflict take appropriate steps to ensure the security of humanitarian personnel, so as to enable the timely delivery of assistance to people in need across the country.

See also: IDMC Somalia country page