Benghazi, Libya (Running Africa) — Libya’s eastern-based administration has announced a ban on the entry of nationals from Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia through all land, sea, and air ports under its control, citing efforts to reorganize and regulate the entry of foreign nationals into the country.

The decree was issued by the Benghazi-based government led by Prime Minister Osama Hamad, which is aligned with military commander Khalifa Haftar and exercises authority over eastern Libya and significant portions of the country’s south.

The move was made independently of Libya’s internationally recognized government in Tripoli, highlighting the ongoing political divisions that continue to shape governance and policy decisions in the North African nation.

Under the new measures, exemptions will be granted to accredited diplomatic and consular personnel and their families. The decree also allows entry for professionals working in education, healthcare, and related sectors, provided they hold valid employment contracts and receive approval from the relevant authorities.

Libya has remained a key transit corridor for migrants and refugees seeking to reach Europe since the 2011 overthrow of former leader Muammar Gaddafi. The country continues to grapple with political fragmentation, security challenges, and competing administrations more than a decade after the uprising.

According to the United Nations, more than 900,000 migrants currently reside in Libya, many of whom originate from countries across East Africa and the Horn of Africa.

The latest restrictions are likely to have significant implications for regional migration flows and labor mobility, particularly for citizens of Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia who have historically used Libya as a destination or transit point in search of economic opportunities and safer living conditions.