The government of Libya has claimed that the media reportage on the ‘slave trade’ in the North African country has been exaggerated.
The African Union (AU) has expressed outrage after footage emerged showing sub-Saharan migrants being sold at slave markets in Libya.
On the video, released by CNN, young men are seen being auctioned off as farm workers.
The footage released by CNN appears to show youths from Niger and other sub-Saharan countries being sold to buyers for about $400 (£300) at undisclosed locations in Libya.
The AU chairman, President Alpha Conde of Guinea, demanded prosecutions over a “despicable” trade “from another era”.
Migrants trying to reach Europe have spoken of being held by smugglers and forced to work for little or no money.
“These modern slavery practices must end and the African Union will use all the tools at its disposal,” Mr Conde said.
But the Libyan Ambassador to Ghana Sallah Koni Mustafa told local media Starr FM that the media is exaggerating reports of the said slave trade in Libya.
“Our government has started investigations into the issue, the credibility of these reports and those behind it, those involved so that they will be prosecuted and they will be punished accordingly. The media reportage and the exaggerations thereafter are not needed,” Mustafa said.
He further said “We have always said that Libya is an African country, Libyans are not racists, Libya is Africa and Libyans are Africans. Why is it that the media is always narrowing its scope. For instance, there are thousands of people who are currently working in Libya, who are gainfully employed in Libya working in dignity without any form of harassment but the media is not reporting that”.
Many African governments have been outraged at the slave trade report with some already making arrangement to fly home their nationals who have been rescued.
Source: Africafeeds.com
