The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is calling on African countries to remove barriers hindering movement and trade among them to protect their citizens, especially the youth, from the dangers associated with irregular migration.
This was a key point discussed during a four-day conference held in Kigali, organized by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in collaboration with IOM.
The conference aimed to explore ways to facilitate easier trade and movement among African countries.
According to IOM, if movement within Africa is made easier, people will be encouraged to seek employment opportunities and economic development within the continent rather than risking their lives in search of opportunities abroad.
Cisse Mariama
Madam Cisse Mariama, the IOM Regional Director for Africa, stated, “It is crucial for African countries to ease movement and trade among themselves because many people die while migrating irregularly, often drowning in the sea or facing other significant risks on their journeys. At IOM, as an organization focused on migration and mobility, we want to see all barriers that prevent people from moving freely on this continent removed.”
IOM’s reports indicate that African youth often try to find opportunities elsewhere due to a lack of job prospects in their home countries, leading some to make the dangerous decision to migrate to distant lands. Many of these migrants risk their lives crossing treacherous seas or encountering other security challenges. This is a significant issue that requires a strong and effective solution.
IOM emphasizes that removing barriers to movement and trade will help African youth find opportunities within the continent, secure the jobs they desire, and contribute to their countries’ development, rather than continuing to risk their lives by crossing seas or facing hardships in foreign countries.
The African Union (AU) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have urged African countries to continue collaborating in establishing effective policies to facilitate movement and trade to address the issue of migrant deaths resulting from irregular migration.
To eliminate these barriers, IOM calls on African countries to prioritize programs that help youth find employment and business opportunities within their own nations. This approach would help tackle unemployment issues and reduce deaths from irregular migration.
IOM strongly encourages African countries to develop effective policies to facilitate movement and trade, allowing their citizens to find opportunities within their own countries rather than risking their lives seeking opportunities elsewhere.
Improving these policies will help protect Africa’s youth, enabling them to seek opportunities within the continent, safeguard their lives, and ultimately contribute to the development of the entire continent.
By Carine Kayitesi
