Summary:

On 24 September 2025, the European Commission rejected calls from over 40 human rights organizations to suspend funding for the Libyan Coast Guard, following a late August incident in which the Coast Guard opened fire on the humanitarian rescue vessel Ocean Viking in international waters.  

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The vessel, operated by SOS Méditerranée, was carrying 87 rescued migrants and 30 crew members during the 20-minute shooting incident. 

European Commission spokesman Guillaume Mercier emphasized the importance of maintaining engagement to improve the situation, while noting that an investigation into the incident is ongoing. NGOs have criticized EU and Italian support for Libya’s Coast Guard, arguing that it has enabled abuses and contradicts the EU’s “do no harm” policy.  

Outlook: 

While continued EU support strengthens the operational capacity of the Libyan Coast Guard, ongoing political fragmentation and rival administrations limit centralized oversight and effective governance of maritime operations, particularly as it relates to the use of force.  

Libya’s active efforts to deport illegal migrants underscore the Coast Guard’s strategic role, which will continue to drive support for funding, training, and equipping, as such support is considered crucial to managing migration flows across the Mediterranean. 

However, repeated incidents involving humanitarian vessels risk undermining credibility with international partners and complicating cooperation with the EU and other donors. 

Libyan authorities are forced to continue balancing border enforcement with accountability, transparency, and safe conduct during rescue operations. Failure to address abuses or coordinate across fragmented institutions could weaken Libya’s ability to manage migration effectively, threaten continued foreign support, and heighten both domestic and international criticism, further exposing vulnerabilities in governance and security. 

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