Migration

The Sahel+ Migration Technical Group’s mission is to offer a framework for reflexion, research, sharing of experiences, skills, information and lessons learnt, and for cooperation on migration issues, between Sahel+ members, and other RC/RC Movement stakeholders.

“By doing so, the group’s main objective is to reduce the vulnerabilities of migrants and displaced persons in the Sahel region, mitigate the risks they are exposed to, address discrimination, and facilitate their inclusion and access to services – in view of building the resilience of all concerned persons and communities”

The Sahel+ Migration Technical Group also seeks to engage with other stakeholders and speak with one voice in regional and global platforms. Our members have presented their common perspective on migration and displacement during webinar on cross-border mobility and climate change on the side of the 45th session of the Human Rights Council (on 24 September 2020), at the Red Cross and Red Crescent Virtual Climate Summit (from 9-10 September 2020), at the Global Forum on Migration and Development in Quito, Ecuador (from 19-24 January 2020), and at the first Global Refugee Forum held in Geneva (from 16-18 December 2019).

The group also has representatives in the RC/RC Movement’s Global Migration Task Force.

An intra-regional phenomenon.

The Sahel region has a long history of population’s movements. Seasonal, pendular and circular migrations are an essential part of local resilience strategies. Intra-regional migrants with a valid travel document can benefit from the freedom of movement framework established by the Economic Community of West African States. However, access to essential services within the region is particularly challenging for migrants, due to significant administrative, financial, socio-cultural and language-related barriers, as well as risks of discrimination.

Dangerous routes through deserts and seas.

The Sahel is at the crossroads of migration routes to and from North Africa and Europe, extending through the Sahara Desert, the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Migrants moving along these routes face significant protection risks, including loss of family contact, human trafficking, gender-based violence, detention and forced deportations. Many are unable to continue their journey or return home, and may find themselves in need of long-term support. Those who return, on their own will or by force, face significant reintegration challenges. A significant proportion of migrants within the region is represented by unaccompanied and separated children, and the number of women and girls embarking in these dangerous journeys is on the rise.

Double impact of conflict and climate change.

Disasters such as floods and droughts, as well as the effects of climate change and environmental degradation, continue to exacerbate vulnerabilities across the region, and contribute to induce migratory movements and internal displacement. Moreover, the region is grappling with conflict and violence, particularly around the Lake Chad Basin, in Northern Mali and in parts of Burkina Faso, triggering internal and cross-border displacement. The areas that are worst affected by violence, and those experiencing the most severe impacts of climate change, largely overlap – with serious consequences on the vulnerabilities of migrants, displaced persons and host communities. 80 - 85% of migratory flows are intra-regional