AIMS

Global Governance: Africa-European Union (EU) Migration Policy

The European Union and its Member States have gradually, hesitantly but eventually opened to migration flows from Eastern Europe but counter balanced it by tough political rhetoric and closure to flows from the Southern (Africa). The progressive reduction of flows was achieved by extension of visa requirements on a majority of African citizens and introduction of external strategic and operational controls.

In relation to this context, the African Union (AU) and regional coordination platforms have sought to provide policy frameworks for addressing the challenges of migration. The AU Migration Policy Framework for Africa (MPFA) and its 2018-2030 Plan of Action; the AU -EU Ouagadougou Action Plan of 2006 to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, EUROMED Migration IV (EMM4: 2016-2019) program supports EU Member States and the European Neighborhood Southern Partner Countries- Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia in establishing a comprehensive, constructive and operational dialogue and co-operation framework on migration, with a particular focus on reinforcing instruments and capacities to develop and implement evidence-based migration policies.

Other dialogue frameworks include; the Rabat Process a migration dialogue founded in July 2006 in Rabat to bring together African and European countries to discuss and develop pragmatic and balanced approaches to dealing with migration and development issues. Today, is carrying out the Dakar Strategy that was developed at Third Euro-African Ministerial Conference in November 2011. The Khartoum Process is another platform for political cooperation that engages East Africa, the countries of the Horn of Africa and European partners, especially on anti-trafficking and the smuggling of migrants. In 2017, the Khartoum Process widened its thematic scope to include issues related to border management, unaccompanied minors and international protection. In addition, the AU adopted the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community relating to Free Movement of Persons, Rights of Residence and Right of Establishment (AfCFTA) in 2018 to create a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments.

Despite proliferation of dialogues, the African regional cooperation on migration remains challenging, due to, inter alia, security and socio-economic concerns of national governments, which at times result in unilateral, reactive decision-making. The on-going tragic events in the Mediterranean Sea are a testimony to the scale and complex cross-border nature of migration which necessitates harmonized action. The reorientation of migration policy and external controls has produced and continues to produce important consequences that need to be addressed.