South Sudanese migrants seen at a detention center in Libya, in this undated photo. | Courtesy.

The Minister of Labor said there are more than 3,000 South Sudanese migrants stranded in Libya after failing to transit to Europe via the dreaded Mediterranean Sea.

Libya is one of the main departure points for African migrants who seek asylum mainly in Italy and Spain.

James Hoth Mai said the migrants have become irregular in the country where South Sudan does not have a diplomatic presence.

According to the official, the 3,374 South Sudanese nationals in Libya, are now wishing to return home – having waited to cross the sea to Europe in vain.

He said the network of smugglers and traffickers has clearly taken benefits from “these poor migrants”.

“Imagine if one has paid USD 5,000 to smugglers as migration cost. It is almost impossible to quantify the economic loss our region is experiencing.”

He said those who opted for better economic opportunities took unsafe routes towards “greener locations” adding that the region is quite an attractive corridor.

In December 2022, dozens of South Sudanese immigrants were detained in the North African country.

According to Yagoub Yassin Dahab, a Libya-based Sudanese activist, the South Sudanese nationals were detained in El Roemi, El Jedidiah, and Ein El Zara – for having entered the country illegally.

The migrants aged between 12 and 30 years have been detained for more than three years in Tripoli, Libya.

The young South Sudanese national eyeing the risky sea journey to Europe, were awaiting deportation amid lack of travel documents.

A few days later, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the press in Juba that efforts were underway to convince Libyan authorities to release the detainees.

However, it is not clear if the government rescue was successful or not.