Dialog space

Testimony

Stories and voices of people directly concerned by migration in Africa.

Ndoumbé Pouye,dedicated to local development, transcending borders
Testimony

Ndoumbé Pouye,dedicated to local development, transcending borders

As an international solidarity volunteer in Bordeaux, France, Ndoumbé Pouye supports local development projects. Throughout her career, the young Senegalese woman has promoted a positive view of migration, viewing it as an opportunity to learn, meet new people and experience personal growth. Ndoumbé Pouye is notable for her gentle yet confident demeanour. Her spontaneous and …

South–South student mobility: Togolese student’s experience in Morocco
Testimony

South–South student mobility: Togolese student’s experience in Morocco

Kossi K. was 22 years old when he left Lomé for Casablanca. He had a student visa tucked carefully into his passport and a fairly clear idea of what he was looking for: a recognised degree, international exposure and the promise of a more stable future. Like many young Togolese, he saw Morocco as an …

Chadian activist deplores Mauritania’s contradicting commitments to protecting refugees and migrants’ rights
Testimony

Chadian activist deplores Mauritania’s contradicting commitments to protecting refugees and migrants’ rights

According to several civil society organisations, Mauritania has recently carried out the expulsion of foreign nationals present on its territory. As a transit country for migrants travelling to North Africa and Europe, Mauritania is facing increasing criticism regarding its approach to migration management. According to the Central African news website CNC, it is believed that …

Cultural sovereignty, a fresh outlook on African mobility
Testimony

Cultural sovereignty, a fresh outlook on African mobility

The 7th edition of the Festival des Africains du Niger, held at a hotel in Niamey, was much more than just an artistic celebration. It also provided a platform for profound political reflection, led by Moumouni Saidou, a member of the Refoundation Advisory Council. At the heart of his argument was the idea that cultural …

Chadian youth redefine educational migration
Testimony

Chadian youth redefine educational migration

Young, ambitious Chadian have chosen to pursue higher education in Burkina Faso. Upon returning to Chad, these former students share the rich and varied experiences they have gained through academic learning, cultural discovery and personal engagement. Their stories reflect the reality of educational migration: a journey full of hope, challenges, and a renewed vision of …

Away from home, torn between training and other opportunities
Testimony

Away from home, torn between training and other opportunities

The factors that influence someone’s decision to pursue their vocation in a host country can be numerous. In this interview with Dialogue Migration, Lydia, a national of the Central African Republic, shares her experiences in Benin and Niger. Lydia*, a mother of two, recently returned to Cotonou from Niamey, where she had been living. She …

‘I poured water on sand and then ate it…,’ migrant narrates
Testimony

‘I poured water on sand and then ate it…,’ migrant narrates

In a journey fraught with obstacles and losses, Abdou Aziz NDIAYE recounts the underlying reasons for his departure, the hardships he endured overland and at sea, and his difficult return along with the support he received. What prompted you to undertake this journey, and how did the trip go? I wanted to support my family …

Éric Agbemelo’s journey of travel, learning and belonging
Testimony

Éric Agbemelo’s journey of travel, learning and belonging

Having travelled from West Africa to Europe and then North America, Éric Agbemelo has seen the world while maintaining a connection to his home continent. Now based in N’Djamena, Chad, this Togolese man sees travel as a school of life, and returning home as a responsibility: to share the knowledge he has gained and help …

Easing visa application processes could effectively fight irregular migration, Senegalese activist says
Testimony

Easing visa application processes could effectively fight irregular migration, Senegalese activist says

Cheikh Abdou Fall is the coordinator of the Association of Returnee Migrants for Reintegration and Development (CM2RD) in Senegal. In this interview with Dialogue Migration, Mr. Fall, who lives in Pikine, Dakar suburbs shares his insights on key issues surrounding migration. Kindly present CM2RD and outline the specific initiatives your organization undertakes to combat irregular …

Hair clippers as resilience tool in Niamey neighbourhood
Testimony

Hair clippers as resilience tool in Niamey neighbourhood

In the heart of Dar es Salaam in Niamey, Niger a story of entrepreneurship and friendship has taken root. Born in 1997, Abdoul Razak and Ibrahim decided to combine their skills to open a barbershop in the neighbourhood where they grew up. Amidst an atmosphere of energy and determination, they embarked on a shared journey …

Returnees leader exposes project economy of migration
Testimony

Returnees leader exposes project economy of migration

In this interview, Moustapha Diouf, president of the Association of Young Returnees of Thiaroye-sur-Mer (AJRAP), draws on his personal experience and civic engagement to highlight the risks of irregular migration and propose practical solutions. Through raising awareness, providing training and fostering cooperation between the State and Europe, he advocates for the efficient use of Senegal’s …

Caught between Cameroon and Senegal: how love rewrites the story of her life
Testimony

Caught between Cameroon and Senegal: how love rewrites the story of her life

Caught between two countries and two ways of life, Grace Gabrielle Princia Dooko found herself facing a destiny beyond her control. When she arrived in Senegal five years ago, she had to overcome obstacles such as language barriers, financial difficulties and the challenge of finding her footing and to flourish in life – first as …