Libya’s Political Instability and Migration Crisis in Europe

Abstract

This paper examines the political instability in Libya and its impact on migration crisis in Europe. The paper reveals that there exists political instability in Libya as its Political Stability Index Score has grown weaker from -1.29 ranking 171st in 2011 to -2.33, ranking 190th in 2017 as against 0.83 that ranked her 41st in 2009. The paper also establishes that there are about 1, 700 militia groups in Libya which are vying for the control of power which has led to the collapse of governance structure in the country. The paper equally finds that smuggling gangs have exploited, and are still exploiting, to the maximum the political instability in Libya to flood Europe with migrants. The paper also reveals that as a result of the political instability in Libya, 764, 403 migrants had arrived Italy and a recorded 17, 516 deaths at Sea between 2011 and 2018 as against 130, 921 between 2003 and 2010 that left Libyan shores for Europe. The study, therefore concludes that the political instability in Libya is culpable for the migration crisis in Europe and it is not likely to end soon unless the political instability in Libya is addressed.