The dynamics of African migration fluctuate between protecting vulnerable people, improving regional governance and encouraging civic mobilisation, from N’Djamena to Dakar and from Banjul to Abuja. Meanwhile, Europe continues to tighten its asylum and border control policies.

On 2 February, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) held a workshop in N’Djamena in collaboration with the Ministry for Women and Early Childhood. The session focused on safeguarding the best interests of children on the move, with the aim of integrating them into national child protection systems more effectively. Particular attention was given to the specific risks associated with migration routes, including trafficking, exploitation and violence. This initiative highlights the fact that the mobility of minors is a regional phenomenon requiring coordinated, tailored institutional responses.

Meanwhile, in Dakar, fifteen young people received certificates as part of the COMPASS project, which is supported by the IOM and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This initiative combines vocational training and Spanish language instruction with the promotion of circular migration as a pathway towards shared development. The emphasis is on enhancing employability and fostering well-managed mobility rather than encouraging irregular migration routes.

The role of the diaspora continues to be a prominent topic of discussion locally. In an interview with Agence Sénégalaise de Presse, Boubacar Sèye, president of the NGO Horizons Sans Frontières, called on the authorities to involve Senegalese nationals living abroad more actively in national development efforts. Highlighting the considerable expertise within the diaspora, he noted their potential contribution to the country’s emerging energy sector. He also advocated for the establishment of an institutional framework dedicated to overseeing migration governance and safeguarding the dignity of migrants.

Elsewhere, in The Gambia, the National Youth Parliament (NYP) held an emergency national dialogue on irregular migration, focusing on the theme of “Breaking the Silence, Saving the Future”. Survivors, returnees and young people considered to be at risk participated in discussions with government representatives and international organisations about how to prevent further fatal Atlantic crossings. This initiative reflects the growing local awareness of the ongoing fatalities associated with irregular migration routes.

At a regional level, a delegation from the Swedish Embassy in Abuja met with the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to discuss labour migration governance and the principle of free movement. The meeting focused on the implementation of regional protocols and the continuation of the Joint Labour Migration Programme. This cooperation demonstrates that mobility in West Africa is embedded within a legal and institutional framework designed to promote safe, orderly and regular migration.

However, the debate in Europe is evolving in a markedly different direction. The European Parliament has added Morocco to a common list of safe countries of origin, paving the way for the accelerated processing of asylum applications submitted by its citizens. Although the measure was adopted by a large majority, several human rights organisations have criticised it, arguing that it could undermine the right to asylum.

In Italy, on the other hand, the Council of Ministers has approved a draft law aimed at tightening migration regulations. The proposal includes provisions for a potential maritime blockade and the reopening of reception centres for asylum seekers in Albania. Against a backdrop of increasingly restrictive political rhetoric, the government has justified these measures on the grounds of border protection and national security.

Furthermore, the High Court of Justice in England and Wales ruled that the authorities had unlawfully confiscated the mobile phones of more than 70 migrants who arrived in the United Kingdom via the English Channel in 2020. The court ordered that those migrants be given financial compensation. The judgment emphasises that efforts to combat smuggling networks must not infringe upon fundamental rights.

As migration continues to evolve, it is essential to strike a balance between shared responsibility and deep political divisions, as well as between managing mobility and pursuing restrictive policies.