The African Union Commission is saddened by the tragic news of the death of 57 of our African brothers and sisters off the Coast of Libya. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Commission reiterates its commitment to supporting Libya and AU Members States in finding durable solutions to forced displacement and irregular migration in our Continent, and to ensure such tragedies do not happen. The African Union Commission seizes this opportunity to thank our partners in their support, and once again call on our Member States to expedite the evacuation and return of their respective stranded citizens in Libya.

Further, the Commission calls on the International Community, in particular to the European Union and IOM, to take the responsibility and to support us to ensure that human lives are protected.

With the support of the African Union Liaison Office for Libya, the Commission will continue to work with the AU-EU-UN Task Force on Libya to support the efforts of the interim Government of National Unity on migration management in line with international law, and to enhance the capacity of embassies of AU Member States to facilitate the voluntary return and sustainable reintegration of their nationals. Since the launch of the Tripartite Task Force more than 50,000 persons have benefited from the Humanitarian Return Programme (HRP) implemented by IOM and over 500 refuges and asylum seekers evacuated from Libya under the Emergency Transit Mechanism to Rwanda implemented by the UNHCR and over 200 persons have been resettled to third countries.

For More information, please Contact:

Dr. Ahmed Bugre | Migration Senior Advisor | Department of Health Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | Tel: +251 11 551 77 00 | E-mail: Bugrem@africa-union.org

For media inquiries, please contact:

1. Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head of Information Division | Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission | Mobile: +251911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org

2. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission | Tel: +251 11 551 77 00 | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org

For further information please contact:

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.africa I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube