Spotlight on Migration: Causes, Consequences, and What the

AU Can DoBy

Philip Bob JUSUDepartment of Social AffairsAfrican Union Commission

Outline of Presentation

1. Introduction 2. Overview of AU Migration Policy Instruments3. AU’s Short Term Policy Frameworks 4. Collaboration with Member States, Regional

Economic Communities and Partners on Irregular Migration

5. Challenges6. Opportunities7. Way Forward and Conclusion

Introduction The AU provides guidance for the unity, peace and security, economic

integration, industrialization and strategic planning of Africa.

The African Economic Community (1991) demonstrates the political commitment of AU Member States in achieving the regional integration agenda. A functional free movement of persons regime in Africa has the potential of bringing a significant contribution to economic and social development in the continent.

Thus, migration is viewed as a key element in achieving African economic integration as articulated in various policy frameworks and instruments of the African Union.

AU Migration Policy Instruments

Migration Policy Framework for Africa (2006) The African Common Position on Migration and Development (Tripoli

2006) The Joint Africa-EU Declaration on Migration and Development (Tripoli

2006) The joint Africa-EU Ouagadougou Action Plan to Combat Trafficking

( 2007) AU Frameworks on refugees, returnees and IDPs (2009 Kampala

Convention) African Solidarity Initiative (2012)

Migration Policy Framework for Africa

Serves to provide the necessary guidelines and principals to assist government and their RECs in the formulation of their own national and regional migration policies as well as, their implementation in accordance with their own priorities and resources.

The MPFA does not provide the necessary technical assistance and support to governments and the RECs for implementation of recommended actions, since migration flows, patterns, volumes and dynamics vary amongst states.

Not intended to legally bind, dictate or impose any obligations emanating from treaties or conventions not ratified by Member States.

However, relevant organizations with migration expertise and competencies could provide the necessary technical assistance and support in resource mobilization for the implementation of the national or regional migration policies.

AUC Mandate: Develop a follow-up mechanism

MPF Thematic Areas Labour Migration Border Management Irregular Migration Forced Displacement Internal Migration Migration Data Migration and Development Inter-State and Inter-Regional Cooperation Other Social Issues Deserving Attention

AU’s Short Term Policy Frameworks

AU–Horn of Africa Initiative on Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants

Labour Migration Governance for Integration and Development in Africa (Joint Labour Migration Programme)

AU-League of Arab States Technical and Coordination Committee on Migration

AU-EU Partnership on Migration (Migration and Mobility Dialogue –MMD)

Development of a Protocol on Free Movement

Collaboration with Member States; Regional Economic Communities and Partners on (Irregular) Migration

Migration Working Group (2011) - AUC (DSA, DPA, CIDO, PSD), EC, IOM, ILO UNHCR, UNODC, UNICEF, OHCHR, RECs, LAS, and Selected Member States.

AU Commission Initiative Against Trafficking (AU.COMMIT- 2009) AU-HOA Initiative (2014) Joint Labour Migration Programme (2015) Regional Conference on Intra-Regional Mobility and Labour Migration (2015) Involvement of Member States in ALL Commission’s Activities Regional Consultative Processes Support to Member States and RECs to participate in Major International

Migration Events (GFMD, HLD and IDM) Training of Member States and RECs at Regional and International Training

Centers (IDEP, ITC-ILO, UNICRI, IIHL, RMMS, ACBC,etc) Annual Meetings with RECs to evaluate activities implemented Senior Officials Meeting on Migration

Challenges Non-binding Nature of AU Policies Voluntary Nature of AU Membership System Population Explosion Rural-Urban Migration Societal Perspectives of Migration: Migration as a social prestige Migration as Population Control Mechanism Restrictive Mobility Regimes in Africa Securitization of Mobility on the Continent Inadequate capacity of Member States to address Irregular Migration Environment and Climate Change External Factors

Opportunities

Infrastructural Development

Natural resource development, including energy

and minerals

Agricultural development

Financial sector development

Development of manufacturing industries

Why Opportunities?

Abundance of natural resources, oil gas and minerals

Population of 1.1 billion with global youngest; 1.4 billion by 2025.

Huge market with growing middle class from 15-40 million. Spending reaching 1.5 trillion in 10 years.

Establishment of continental free trade zone

Why Opportunities?

23% of the World landmass

Only 7% of the world’s railway; density of road and railway only 25%

and 10% of the world average.

50% of the continent in severe shortage of electricity. Total installed

electricity capacity is about 2/3 of Guandong Province in China.

Infiltration of mobile wide band about 20% and internet connection of

about 20%.

Thus, tremendous potential for development

Way Forward

Mainstream migration into national and regional development policies. Facilitate Intra and Inter-Regional Mobility in Africa. Implement Continent-wide Visa Free Regimes and Open up More Legal

Channels of Migration, including issuance of visas at Ports of Entry for Africans.

Open up more legal avenues for migration, including more resettlement opportunities and increased quotas for refugees in Africa.

Increase investment in decent employment opportunities and relevant skills training for the youth.

Strenghten efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants

Enhance partnerships on Migration and Mobility between AU Member States and relevant stakeholders.

Way Forward

Develop Comprehensive Legal and Social Protection Mechanisms for Migrants.

Increased and consistent participation of partner countries in migration issues.

Way Forward

Soft Tools Socio-economic developmentIssues of social exclusionPoverty eradicationPrevention of irregular migration Protection of migrants rights

Way Forward

Hard Tools

Reform of Laws

Prosecution of criminals

Disruption of network of crime

Coordination among countries of destination,

transit and origin

Conclusion Migration has played a fundamental role in the socio-economic development of Africa. The benefits from migration stem from the remittances transfer, knowledge and technology

transfer, and transfer of know how. Migration has a greater development potential, as labour migrants work in key economic sectors, such as agriculture, construction, services, domestic work, etc, that can contribute

to improving livelihoods of migrants and families and communities left behind. Inadequate Policies and failure to address the fundamental issues would result in IRREGULAR MIGRATION: Leads to social exclusion and crime

Erodes human capital

Undermines public health

Undermines government authority

Proceeds sustains illicit activities that constitute a threat to democratic governance and rule of law

There is a nexus between organized criminal groups involved in irregular migration and drugs firearms, human and terrorism, as proceeds of one venture is used to finance the other through elaborate money

laundering.

A-ME-SE-GE-NE-HE-ALL=LE-HU

THANK YOUE-mail: jusup@africa-union.org

Philip.bob.jusu@gmail.com