Reports emerging from Libya in 2025 reveal a resurgence of slavery, with African migrants being sold in open markets for as little as $300.

Among the victims is Naima Jamal, an Ethiopian national, whose plight has brought renewed attention to the dire human rights abuses occurring in the war-torn nation.

The destabilization of Libya following the 2011 assassination of Muammar Gaddafi, orchestrated by NATO-backed rebels, has left the country in a state of lawlessness. This power vacuum has allowed human trafficking networks to flourish, turning Libya into a hotspot for modern-day slavery. Migrants traveling through the country in search of better opportunities have become easy targets for these exploitative systems.

Naima Jamal’s case is just one among many. Disturbing reports suggest that others, like her, are being sold under inhumane conditions, often in full view of local communities. These individuals face brutal treatment, forced labor, and unimaginable suffering at the hands of their captors.

Watch the moment Naima Jamal was being punished by the abductors.

The international community’s response to this crisis has been criticized as insufficient. The African Union and human rights organizations have condemned the ongoing slave trade, but concrete actions to dismantle these trafficking networks and address the systemic instability in Libya remain limited.

Human rights advocates are calling for urgent intervention. They argue that the global community must not only address the immediate atrocities but also confront the root causes, including Libya’s political vacuum and the exploitation of migrants.

As these reports gain traction, the world is reminded that slavery, a practice many believe to be a relic of history, continues to exist in devastating forms. The question now is whether global powers will take meaningful steps to eradicate this horrifying reality or allow it to persist in silence.