Illegal migration: EU creates migration centre in Africa

But critics say centre will not curb the problem

By Yemti Harry Ndienla

Despite harsher immigration laws, Africans in great numbers are still taking huge risks to illegally emigrate to the northern hemisphere. To put the situation under control the European Union (EU), recently moved to export its controls on illegal immigration for the first time by setting up a new office in Africa, the first of several it plans to open to try to deal at source with a flood of migration. EU set up the centre in a bid to reduce the chaos and dissuade Africans from taking the hazardous routes to Europe
The migration information and management centre (CIGEM) was inaugurated in Bamako, Mali on 6 October, by Louis Michel, the EU's development commissioner. Mali, is one of the world's poorest countries and a hub for tens of thousands of Africans who try to get to Europe illegally every year by embarking on boats to Spain's Canary Islands from the west coast of Africa. Many of them die en route. EU officials said the Mali project was just the pilot phase of a broader project that would be implanted in other countries especially in West Africa where migration is rampant.
The CIGEM has as objective to help improve on the management and control of migration. “It will come up with a migration policy that addresses the concerns of both potential migrants and returning migrants, a press release of the EU commission stated, adding that “Mali and the EU commission are working together through this project to realise Africa-EU partnership commitments on migration, mobility and employment.”
CIGEM is essentially financed by the EU under the 9^th European development fund with about 10 million euros.
Louis Michel who played a central role in the setting up of the centre, made it clear that “instead of demonising the migration phenomenon, it should be supported, structured and managed optimally as a positive human element for both Africa and Europe. The centre paves the way for managing migration flows more effectively and making greater use of the development opportunities provided by migration,”.
The creation of a migration management centre is one of the outcomes of the new Africa-EU partnership decided in Lisbon in December 2007.
But critics say the creation of the centre will not curb illegal immigration as it is unlikely to significantly increase the number of Africans who get legal entry into Europe. It is also criticised for favouring the selective immigration policy variously described as racist and discriminatory.
The EU for some years now has tightened visa conditions for Africansforcingmany to try dangerous routes into Europe including the rough high seas of the Mediterranean and crossing through long-stretching deserts.

Prominent personalities present at the inaugural were Louis Michel, EU commissioner for development and humanitarian aid, Amadou Toumani Toure, president of Mali and Brice Hortefeux, French minister for immigration, integration, identity and cooperative development.