Slave trade in Libya is actually as old as the origin of slavery in North Africa which began between the 18th and 19th century. little wonder Mahmud Ghadaffi in 2010 apologized to the international community for Libya's role in the olden day slave era.

Slavery then was actually conducted by Libyan indigenes such as Tuareq who is said to have facilitated and taxed organizers of the trade back then. Even after 1853,when slave trade was abolished in libya theoretically, in practice,it continued until the 1890's that even the British consulate in Benghazi,Libya had to write to warn the government of the increasing boom of slave trade in the north African country as it was eating deep into their national fabrics and was thus becoming a way of life for them..

Adolf Vischer(1911), Ahmed Hassanein (1923) Dansh knud Holmboe(1930) all discoverd in their respective reports back then that one could buy a girl from local slave masters for the rate of 30 to 40 Pounds despite global civilization as at that period. Believe it or not,during the ghadaffi era,slavery was still been practiced but not at a conventional rate but in secrecy. So,am I surprised with what's been happening? Absolutely not.

It was after the overthrow of muamar Gaddafi in 2011 that the slave business became more of an open secret with migrants whose papers weren't complete been the most vulnerable and for the fact that Libya is a major exit point for African migrants heading to Europe makes the whole business more lucrative.

These migrants are detained and sold as slaves after been detained by people smugglers.women are used for sex slaves and sold to brothels and private Libyan clients while the men are usually used for forced lab our and even ransomed to their families back home.
It was after CNN uncovers this story early this month that the story became a subject of international discuss. Nigeria,Senegal,somalia and Gambia are the worst hit countries.

The Libyan coast guard been trying their best to clamp down on these people and that has necessitated a means used by these people to hide their slaves by getting them in cramped warehouses to avoid Libyan coast guards.Thats where they stay till they are ransomed and sold for labour.

Now the world is aware,what next?..Countries like burkina and DR Congo recalled their ambassadors from libya as if that would solve the problem.with regards to Nigeria,over 4000 citizens of ours have been brought back.Despite the high rate, its not just a Nigerian thing.It affects the rest of Africa as most African countries are suffering from a high rate of inflation, economic down turn,mismanagement of the countries wealth,bad leadership and abject poverty.In Nigeria alone,161 Nigerians were brought back in February, 600 in 2016,262 and 128 in July and august respectively.

This shows you how bad the situation is. In as much as the world is condemning this,we must call upon our leaders to address the pertinent reason for this emigration by mapping out a collective blueprint to make Africa an economic viable continent as we are blessed with natural resources.

The government of every country in Africa must go back to the drawing board,drop all these unnecessary summits and make their actions louder than their voice..
Together,we can all solve Africa's problem.