Within the framework of the AU-EU Continent-to-Continent Migration and Mobility Dialogue, the African Union Commission and European Union Commission, in partnership with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) conducted a study on Return, Readmission and Reintegration programs in Africa. The study includes nine country briefs of selected African Union Members States, which were devel¬oped in close cooperation with respectively nominated focal points, and benefitted from country-level and regional workshops held with key stakeholders.

The Study on Return, Readmission and Reintegration programmes in Africa (RRR) was launched by H.E. Commissioner Amira Elfadil, The Commissioner for Health Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, H.E. Commissioner Ylva Johannson, The European Commissioner for Home Affairs, and Mr. Michael Spindelegger, the Director General of ICMPD. The study proposed a definition for effective and sustainable reintegration and identified 5 key messages to achieve sustainable reintegration of migrants in Africa.

During the Launch of the Study H.E. Commissioner Amira Elfadil reiterated that an increased ownership and knowledge on reintegration by countries of origin are central factors to build and strengthen AU Member States responsibility in this field. Commissioner Amira noted that reintegration programmes need to be more connected to national and local development plans, and the involvement of private sector, local and international, should be redefined and optimized. “AU Member States and all stakeholders are invited to adopt out-of-the-box and flexible approaches to reintegration, in order to harness long-term added value impact on the life of returnees and the return communities and achieve impetus on socio-economic sustainability,” concluded the Commissioner.

H.E. Commissioner Johannson emphasized the necessary linkage between reintegration and development programmes. She outlined an example of a Tunisian couple who returned recently to Tunisia stating that the goal of the EU Strategy on voluntary return and reintegration is to improve the quality of support to people who choose to return. “The only way to prove returns work, is by designing effective policies on return, readmission and reintegration, and the report presented today, is an important contribution, to that goal,” concluded Commissioner Johannson.

Mr. Michael Spindelegger, the Director General of ICMPD mentioned that despite the general perception that views on return, readmission and reintegration diverge a lot between the African and European partners, the study shows that the reality is quite different and there is a lot of common ground on which future policy and programming can build upon. ICMPD Director General assured his full commitment to supporting the partners in Africa to translate the recommendations of the study into concrete and tangible actions.
Member states present during the meeting shared their experience and the ongoing programmes on reintegration of returned migrants.

The Study on RRR programs in Africa is available @ https://au.int/en/newsevents/20210623/launching-study-return-readmission...
For more information related to the study on Return, Readmission and Reintegration programs in Africa, please contact:
Ms. Evelyne Nkeng Peh Ndongo | Senior advisor on Migration| Department of Health Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | Tel: +251 11 551 77 00 | E-mail: Ndongoe@africa-union.org
For further media inquiries, please contact:
1. Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head of Information Division | Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission | Mobile: +251911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org
2. Ms. Sarah Abdel-Mohsen Elsayed, Communication Officer, African Union Commission, Email: ElsayedS@africa-union.org
3. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | of Information and Communication Directorate | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org

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