Discovery

Discovery

Cultures, territories and migration journeys across the African continent.

Truly at home? Yet, borders hinder life paths
Discovery

Truly at home? Yet, borders hinder life paths

Today, feeling “at home” is no longer a certainty. For thousands of young Africans, this sense of belonging is tested by a system of borders: geographical, administrative, economic, that shapes their future. In a world where travel is a right for some and an unattainable dream for others, how do we define the idea of …

Liptako-Gourma: alarming trends in population movement
Discovery

Liptako-Gourma: alarming trends in population movement

West Africa, particularly Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, has long experienced significant cross-border and internal mobility. While migration often provides economic opportunities, current trends in the region are increasingly associated with insecurity, terrorist threats, and mounting humanitarian and political challenges. The most recent data paint a sobering picture. In April 2025, the International Organization for …

IDPs in Togo hope for resilience despite  insecurity, precarity
Discovery

IDPs in Togo hope for resilience despite  insecurity, precarity

As the security crisis in the Sahel gradually spreads southward, thousands of people have been forced to flee their villages in the Savanes region of northern Togo. These internally displaced persons (IDPs), often invisible in public discourse, live in precarious conditions, hosted by communities that are already vulnerable. A new report validated in the course …

Pape Demba Sow narrates perilous emigration experience to rebirth in native Saint-Louis
Discovery

Pape Demba Sow narrates perilous emigration experience to rebirth in native Saint-Louis

Migrating in search of a better future, surviving a perilous journey, and rebuilding his life on solid foundations… Pape Demba Sow’s story is a testament to resilience and the power to transform suffering into renewal. His journey, marked by shattered dreams and personal rebirth, proves that it is possible to stay home and succeed. Pape …

Rural exodus jeopardises agriculture in southern Chad
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Rural exodus jeopardises agriculture in southern Chad

Once animated by the hum of ploughs and the songs of farmers, the fertile lands of Ndakonon now lie eerily silent. Located about 80 kilometers from Sarh, the capital of Moyen-Chari province in southern Chad, Ndakonon, is experiencing the damaging effects of a widespread phenomenon: rural exodus. As young and able-bodied residents leave in search …

“Ana Sama Xarit?” : a Senegalese radio series giving another voice to migration
Discovery

“Ana Sama Xarit?” : a Senegalese radio series giving another voice to migration

And what if we talked about migration differently? This is the successful bet of the radio series “Ana sama xarit? Ci yoonu tukki yi” (Where is my friend? On the routes of migration), a creation by the Ëpoukay studio. It takes us on a journey through dreams of America, visa processes, hopes of departure, and the often …

Explaining risks associated with irregular migration to young people
Discovery

Explaining risks associated with irregular migration to young people

In Togo and many other West African countries, many young people dream of a better future in Europe or elsewhere. Confronted with unemployment, job insecurity and daily hardships, some see leaving – regardless of the cost – as their only option. However, despite being driven by hope, irregular migration remains one of the most dangerous …

Foreign communities in Burkina Faso host cultural event to celebrate diversity integration
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Foreign communities in Burkina Faso host cultural event to celebrate diversity integration

The “Journées des communautés étrangères vivant dans le pays” (Foreign communities living in Burkina Faso Days) were recently held in Burkina Faso on 12 and 13 May 2025 at the National Museum in Ouagadougou. This event aimed to promote integration and cohesion between the various foreign communities and the people of Burkina Faso. This year, …

Deconstructing harmful language on migration
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Deconstructing harmful language on migration

Some words and phrases used to describe migrants can be perceived as frustrating or stigmatising. They often conjure up dehumanising stereotypes and emphasise supposed differences, further marginalising these people. These terms are criticised for portraying migrants as a threat. This factsheet lists terms that Amnesty International considers inappropriate or in need of clarification. It recommends …

Migration, hospitality and local tensions: lessons from Kenya on the challenges of refugee integration in Africa
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Migration, hospitality and local tensions: lessons from Kenya on the challenges of refugee integration in Africa

In northern Kenya, a local protest is bringing to light the complex migration dilemmas confronting much of the African continent. At the heart of the debate is the Shirika Plan, a government initiative aimed at integrating refugees into host communities. Yet despite President William Ruto’s promises, leaders of the Turkana community are raising concerns of …

How gender relations shape migration experiences around the world
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How gender relations shape migration experiences around the world

“How do gender relations shape migration experiences around the world? is a question that lies at the heart of current debates on international migration.This article explores the critical links between gender and migration, analysing the specific dynamics of women’s migration and the unique challenges faced by migrant women globally. It examines how gender roles and …