Celebrated on 18 December, International Migrants Day highlights the central role of migration in the economic, social and cultural development of societies. However, behind the rhetoric about mobility as a lever for prosperity lie painful realities, including precarity, violence and death within the diaspora. In Senegal, for instance, the positive initiatives of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) stand in stark contrast to the alarming assessment of the civil society on migrant protection abroad.

International Migrants Day reaffirms the need to build safer, fairer and more inclusive migration systems in an ever-changing world. Despite its growing importance, migration remains poorly understood and insufficiently regulated. It suffers from a chronic lack of funding, strong partnerships and reliable data, and is unable to respond to current realities.

This year’s theme, ‘My Great Story: cultures and development’, reminds us that human mobility is a powerful driver of growth. It enriches societies, strengthens community ties and enables populations to adapt to economic and social change. This message remains highly relevant in 2025, with migration now shaping economies, communities and global development.

Migration,a 21st century defining force
The figures speak for themselves: remittances to low- and middle-income countries reached a record US$685 billion in 2023, directly contributing to poverty reduction and financing education, healthcare and entrepreneurship. Migration also helps to fill labour shortages, stimulate innovation and support demographic stability in many countries. However, these benefits can only be realised if migration is safe, orderly and managed responsibly. When managed well, migration can become a real strategic asset, strengthening the resilience of societies, promoting development and consolidating social cohesion.
With this in mind, on 18 December, IOM Senegal organised an Open Day in Dakar with the aim of promoting safe and regular migration pathways as a means of fostering prosperity for migrants and communities at every stage. The event brought together returning migrants, government representatives and civil society actors around the common goal of highlighting migrants’ contributions and considering ways to maximise their impact on national development. According to Ms Aissata Kane, Head of Mission at IOM Senegal, ‘Migration must be approached as a lever for positive transformation, not only for migrants themselves, but for host societies too.’ Ms Marie Niang, a migrant representative, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the importance of respecting human rights and showing solidarity.

The highlight of the day was the signing of two strategic agreements. The first was a framework agreement with the NGO CACSUP (African Centre for School, University and Professional Complementarity), which aims to strengthen educational and professional opportunities for returning migrants. The second was a partnership with the Decentralised Cooperation Directorate of the Ministry of Urban Planning to promote the economic reintegration of returning migrants. The symbolic presentation of universal health coverage (CMU) and inclusive banking (CBI) cards to ten returning migrants was also an important step towards their social and financial inclusion. The European Union Ambassador, Mr Jean-Marc Pisani, emphasised that ‘the objectives of Valletta remain an essential compass for addressing the root causes of migration’.

A grim assessment casting a shadow over celebrations
However, this celebration of migration as a driver of development contrasts with a much bleaker assessment by the International Organisation for the Defence, Guidance and Integration of Migrants (Horizons sans Frontières). At a press conference held on the same day, the organisation’s president, Boubacar Sy, revealed that 29 Senegalese people had been murdered or had been found dead in the diaspora in 2025 — almost three deaths per month. This alarming figure raises questions about the protection of Senegalese migrants abroad.

Even more concerning is the emergence of a new phenomenon: crimes committed by Senegalese nationals against their compatriots in host countries. “Today, we are killing each other abroad. This poses a real problem,’ he said. In the face of these tragedies, which often go unpunished, Mr Sy is urging the Senegalese state to initiate civil proceedings to ensure that investigations are conducted to provide some relief to bereaved families. He believes that there is an urgent need to develop a migration policy that truly focuses on protecting Senegalese citizens abroad.

International Migrants Day reminds us of a fundamental truth: that every migrant has a story of resilience, courage and opportunity. However, for these individual stories to contribute to a broader narrative of collective development and social justice, commitments must extend beyond mere symbolism. As the 2025 theme emphasises, ‘My Great Story’ is not just about migrants. It is also about the States, institutions and societies that choose to utilise migration as a means of achieving a fairer, more humane and more sustainable future.