What : The Future of the AU-EU Partnership on Migration and Mobility 

 

When : Wednesday, July 9, 2020 from 11.00 to 13.00 hrs CEST (12.00-14.00 EAT) 

 

Where : Online through the following link: https://icmpd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Pg6E2gc7QSSyT0WhIs4_Fg

 

Who :   Jointly organised by the African Union Commission, the European Union Commission and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD)

 

Speakers:

 

 Modaration : Mr Martijn Pluim, Director of Migration Dialogues and    Cooperation, ICMPD 

 

Background

 

The COVID-19 and subsequent travel restrictions and lockdowns have already negatively affected a large number of migrants in Africa: tens of thousands of them, often even abandoned by migrant smugglers, are trapped or stranded in their destination or transit countries like in Niger or Djibouti. As a result, they end up under most precarious conditions. Others are not even able to return home, including through the so-called assisted voluntary return programmes. If the border closures and lockdowns continue, they risk to become migrants in orbit or play balls between different countries.  There are also those irregular migrants like in Libya or Tunisia, who lost their daily small jobs due to confinement. Some of them do not speak the language of their host country and as a consequence, they are not fully informed about the current situation and the rules imposed by the governments. The COVID-19 has also triggered mass spontaneous as well as forced returns which not only lead to vulnerabilities of the population concerned but also carry the potential for inter-state tensions.

The spread of COVID-19 as well as restrictions which negatively impact on aid delivery is particularly threatening for more than 26 million refugees and IDPs in Africa, especially those in camps in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia, who already struggle with a myriad of vulnerabilities. In addition, certain AU MS, including those known for operating their open door policy for refugees, have imposed a temporary ban on the arrival of new refugees and asylum seekers. Finally, the global suspension of refugee resettlements has grave consequences on the functioning of the Emergency Transit Mechanisms in Niger and Rwanda.

These are just a few signs giving a forewarning of how the COVID-19 and its subsequent effects, including the resulting economic downturn and decrease in remittances may lead to the aggravation of vulnerabilities of not only migrants and refugees but also their family members and host communities. Without proper policy response, the future migration and refugee crises are almost pre-programmed and all this will badly hurt the continent where mobility plays a crucial role not only as a livelihood strategy but also as a source of growth and prosperity. It is actually an irony of history that the year which was supposed to become a turning point in the implementation of the continental free trade area and in terms of giving a new impetus to the process of the ratification of the AU Free Movement Protocol, is becoming a symbol of immobility. 

 

For information please contact:

 

Mr. Yusuf Muhammed | Knowledge Management and Communications Officer, Department of Political Affairs | Mohammedy@africa-union.org | Tel: +2511155177 00

 

Media inquiries

 

Mr Molalet Tsedeke | Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission | Tel: +251115517700  | E-mail: MolaletT@africa-union.org | www.au.int|Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

For further information please contact: 

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube