This document summarizes an AU presentation on migration in Africa. It outlines AU migration policy instruments like the Migration Policy Framework for Africa and collaborations with other organizations. It discusses challenges like non-binding AU policies and opportunities from Africa's population and economic growth. The way forward includes mainstreaming migration into development, increasing legal migration avenues, and strengthening partnerships to manage challenges from irregular migration like crime, health issues and undermining governance. Well-managed migration can contribute to Africa's development through remittances, skills and technology transfer.

1. Spotlight on Migration: Causes,
Consequences, and What the
AU Can Do
By
Philip Bob JUSU
Department of Social Affairs
African Union Commission

2. Outline of Presentation
1. Introduction
2. Overview of AU Migration Policy Instruments
3. AU’s Short Term Policy Frameworks
4. Collaboration with Member States, Regional
Economic Communities and Partners on Irregular
Migration
5. Challenges
6. Opportunities
7. Way Forward and Conclusion

3. 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.

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Opportunities
 Infrastructural Development
 Natural resource development, including energy
and minerals
 Agricultural development
 Financial sector development
 Development of manufacturing industries

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. Way Forward
 Develop Comprehensive Legal and Social Protection Mechanisms for
Migrants.
 Increased and consistent participation of partner countries in migration
issues.

15. Way Forward
Soft Tools
 Socio-economic development
Issues of social exclusion
Poverty eradication
Prevention of irregular migration
Protection of migrants rights

16. Way Forward
Hard Tools
Reform of Laws
Prosecution of criminals
Disruption of network of crime
Coordination among countries of destination,
transit and origin

17. 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.

18. A-ME-SE-GE-NE-HE-ALL=LE-HU
THANK YOU
E-mail: jusup@africa-union.org
Philip.bob.jusu@gmail.com