Germa faces social and humanitarian challenges with the increasing number of arrivals from Mali.

Interview and Photography: Naeema Al-Masrati

Germa, December 17, 2025 (LANA) – The city of Germa, located in the far southwest of Libya, is facing accumulated humanitarian and social challenges due to population mixing and unregulated migration that has persisted for years. Sustainable institutional solutions are needed to regulate the status of newcomers while simultaneously addressing the needs of the local population, thus ensuring stability and social peace.

With the increasing number of Tuareg people arriving from Mali, a number of problems have emerged, impacting daily life in the city and affecting some service and educational sectors. This has prompted local authorities and residents to demand that the issue be addressed within a balanced legal and humanitarian framework that preserves human dignity and safeguards community security.

In this context, the mayor of Germa, Al-Raqani Al-Sunni Al-Sharif, stated that the roots of this issue date back to 2014, and its repercussions continue to this day. He noted that the municipality has exerted intensive efforts and endeavors in recent times, which have contributed to tangible progress towards a solution.

In a statement to the Libyan News Agency, Al-Sharif explained that the municipality is closely monitoring the situation of the Tuareg students arriving from Mali. He emphasized that the municipal council maintains impartiality towards all parties and is fulfilling its role within its legal and social jurisdiction, in coordination with relevant authorities, to preserve security and stability and promote peaceful coexistence within the city.

He added that "the primary objective is to protect the stability of Germa and ensure coexistence among its various communities." He pointed out that the municipality is working through dialogue and coordination to convene a meeting soon that will include all concerned parties, followed by the issuance of an official statement outlining a final resolution to this issue.

Regarding the integration of students into educational institutions, the mayor emphasized that the right to education is guaranteed for all, and that this matter is subject to the administrative and legal procedures approved by the Ministry of Education, and in accordance with specific regulations and standards. The municipality continues to address the accompanying social aspects to ensure the safety of the educational process and the peace of mind of parents.

Al-Sharif affirmed that the municipality does not have the authority to prevent any student from enrolling in education, but it operates within its legal framework to address any social issues that may arise.

During a field visit conducted by a correspondent from the Libyan News Agency in the city of Germa, a number of residents, both native inhabitants and Libyan Tuaregs, expressed their concerns about developments in this matter. They indicated that the entry of some Tuareg families from Mali into the city was carried out in ways that have raised concerns among the citizens.

The residents explained that these circumstances have contributed to the emergence of concerns regarding the safety of educational institutions and social security. They also reported some violations and acts of vandalism, as well as receiving threats, according to their statements.

Those interviewed by the agency declined to give their names or descriptions for reasons of personal safety.

In the same context, a member of the Libyan Tuareg community expressed his disapproval of some of the practices that accompanied the arrival of these families, emphasizing his insistence on addressing the issue within a structured legal framework.

Field interviews revealed a divergence of opinions among citizens. Some residents of Germa and Ubari preferred not to discuss the details of the matter, keen to avoid escalating tensions, while others called for state institutions to intervene to regulate the educational and housing situation, proposing solutions such as allocating alternative educational pathways or organizing housing.

Local sources informed the agency that most of the newcomers reside in a residential area that was designated before 2011 as a youth housing project, but the project stalled and was never completed.

According to residents, these housing units were part of youth loan projects that were halted at that time. With the continued housing shortage, some of them were occupied, contributing to increased population pressure within the city.

On the other hand, some women pointed to difficulties in communicating with a number of newcomers due to the language barrier, in addition to the impact of the current situation on the families' psychological well-being, especially given the demographic changes the region is witnessing.

During a field visit to the neighborhood where the newcomers reside, the Libyan News Agency observed that the children speak Arabic, while a number of adults do not. Furthermore, some families lack complete official documentation and rely on outdated documents or administrative numbers.

Local residents confirmed that the southern regions are experiencing a rise in the number of newcomers compared to the original population, necessitating comprehensive solutions at the national level.

Report by Naeema Al-Masrati

...(LANA)...