W e s West African Studies t A f r Regional Challenges of West African Migration ic West African Studies a n S AfRiCAn And euRopeAn peRSpeCtiveS tu Regional Challenges d ie Over the last few years, the international agenda on migration has been particularly s of West African Migration intense. Regular meetings between Africa and Europe, such as in Rabat (July 2006), Tripoli (November 2006) and Paris (November 2008) exemplify this. Within this context, the AfRiCAn And euRopeAn Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) Common Approach on Migration, adopted in January 2008, confirmed the need for a coordinated regional response. Indeed, peRSpeCtiveS 90% of West African migration is intra-regional. This publication presents contributions by international experts on various aspects of West African migration. It provides a contrasting perspective to current debates which essentially focus on security issues. This rather non-institutional approach promotes a constant dialogue based on analyses of the actual situation: the authors encourage “win-win” mobility for all parties involved (Europe, North Africa and West Africa), whether it be a host, transit or departure country. R e g io n a l C h a lle n g e s o f W e s t A fr ic The full text of this book is available on line via these links: an www.sourceoecd.org/emergingeconomies/9789264055933 M www.sourceoecd.org/socialissues/9789264055933 ig r a Those with access to all OECD books on line should use this link: tio www.sourceoecd.org/9789264055933 n SourceoeCd is the OECD online library of books, periodicals and statistical databases. For more information about this award-winning service and free trials, ask your librarian, or write to us at [email protected]. iSbn 978-92-64-05593-3 -:HSTCQE=UZZ^XX: 44 2009 03 1 p www.oecd.org/publishing 001-002-999_eng.fm Page 1 Tuesday, March 17, 2009 1:38 PM West African Studies Regional Challenges of West African Migration AFRICAN AND EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVES Edited by Marie Trémolières 001-002-999_eng.fm Page 2 Tuesday, March 17, 2009 1:32 PM ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT The OECD is a unique forum where the governments of 30 democracies work together to address the economic, social and environmental challenges of globalisation. The OECD is also at the forefront of efforts to understand and to help governments respond to new developments and concerns, such as corporate governance, the information economy and the challenges of an ageing population. The Organisation provides a setting where governments can compare policy experiences, seek answers to common problems, identify good practice and work to co-ordinate domestic and international policies. The OECD member countries are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Commission of the European Communities takes part in the work of the OECD. OECD Publishing disseminates widely the results of the Organisation’s statistics gathering and research on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as the conventions, guidelines and standards agreed by its members. The opinions expressed and arguments employed in this publication are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of OECD or of the governments of its member countries, those of SWAC or the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. Also available in French under the title: Cahiers de l’Afrique de l’Ouest Les enjeux régionaux des migrations ouest-africaines PERSPECTIVES AFRICAINES ET EUROPÉENNES Corrigenda to OECD publications may be found on line at: www.oecd.org/publishing/corrigenda. © OECD/SWAC 2009 OECD freely authorises the use, including the photocopy, of this material for private, non-commercial purposes. Permission to photocopy portions of this material for any public use or commercial purpose may be obtained from the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) [email protected] or the Centre français d'exploitation du droit de copie (CFC) [email protected]. All copies must retain the copyright and other proprietary notices in their original forms. All requests for other public or commercial uses of this material or for translation rights should be submitted to [email protected]. The Sahel and West Africa Club The Sahel and West Africa Club in a few words History The Club du Sahel was established in 1976 at the initiative of the OECD member countries in response to the droughts that had ravaged the Sahel and the subsequent food crisis. In 2001, its Board of Directors extended its geographic coverage to encompass all of West Africa, i.e. the 15 Member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as Cameroon, Mauritania and Chad. Administratively attached to the OECD, the SWAC is led by a Secre- tariat based in Paris (France), which is supported by a network of partners and experts from West Africa and OECD member countries. Its specificity lies in its approach, which combines direct field-level involvement with analyses of West African realities. The SWAC promotes the regional dimension of development, supports the formulation of joint or inter- governmental policies as desired by the region’s countries and promotes dialogue with OECD countries for a coherent understanding of the changes and dynamics taking place in West Africa. Work on Migration In 2006, an Atlas on migration in West Africa was produced in co-operation with ECOWAS, using statistics and maps in order to analyse migratory dynamics and the stakes involved. It is a reminder that mobility has enriched and created circulatory areas such as the European Union (EU) and ECOWAS. The SWAC has collaborated in the development of an ECOWAS Common Approach on Migration that preserves the free intra- regional movement of persons. It has also participated in preparatory workshops within the framework of the process initiated by the Rabat Conference (July 2006) and the Euro-African partnership for migra- tion and development (2nd Euro-African Ministerial Conference, Paris, November 2008). In partnership with the Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD) (co-ordinator), Dakar’s Cheikh Anta Diop University and Warwick West African Studies – Regional Challenges of West African Migration – ISBN 978-92-64-05593-3 © OECD 2009 3 The Sahel and West Africa Club University’s Centre for Research in Ethnic Relations, a programme funded by the European Commission began in 2008. It focuses on six countries in the region so as to have a better understanding of West African migration, evaluate its evolution from the south, and review migration-related legislation in order to foster concerted dialogue between ECOWAS and the EU. A recent publication“West African Mobility and Migration Policies of OECD Countries” (November 2008) issued in OECD «West African Studies» reviews migration policies in the main OECD countries receiving West African migrants and analyses the recent discussions within Europe. It lists common approaches undertaken in Europe, Africa and West Africa. Available on OECD Website. For more information: www.oecd.org/swacand www.atlas-westafrica.org Contact: E-mail [email protected] Telephone +33 145248281 4 West African Studies – Regional Challenges of West African Migration – ISBN 978-92-64-05593-3 © OECD 2009 Foreword Foreword The 21st century holds many challenges that Africa must face concur- rently: demography, agriculture, health, ecology, etc. In order to make informed decisions for the future, research in support of development will be our best ally. To better anticipate these challenges we need to assess the consequences of climate change on Africa as well as understand the parameters contributing to the success of the green revolution so as to adapt them to Africa. At the same time, we need to find the right economic models to assure employment for the youth, who are the overwhelming majority in Africa and understand the complexity of migratory flows so that the movement of men and women, internally as well as internationally, is an opportunity not a handicap. Since its creation in 1976, the Sahel and West Africa Club has been a remarkable tool. It is at liberty to set a tone; its approach consists of organising dialogue based on observations which are often innovative and always anchored in realities in the field; the diversity of its actors and locally-forged partnerships are all tremendous advantages. For all these reasons, once again, we immediately supported the SWAC when, in 2007, they presented us with the idea of a publication on the little-explored issue of intra-regional West African migration. Through this publication, we wanted to encourage a debate with independent ideas on an important aspect of intra-regional mobility and migration which represents 90% of international migration. In West Africa, debate on intra-regional migration must include demography and settlement. An awareness of the links between settlement and mobility in the region came about during the 1990s. Fifteen years later, work carried out within the SWAC confirms that recomposition of settle- ment patterns continue. The regional zone is the historical and natural “expansion valve” of West African migration. The first in Africa, The Common Approach on Migration, adopted in January 2008 by ECOWAS Heads of State, demonstrates the under- standing of the importance of intra-regional mobility in West Africa. It is based on two key principles of which the international community should West African Studies – Regional Challenges of West African Migration – ISBN 978-92-64-05593-3 © OECD 2009 5 Foreword take note: i) the free movement as a cornerstone to regional construction; and ii) the link between fluidity in the South and the reduction of migratory pressure towards the North. At the Euro-African level, the importance of the West African intra- regional dimension of migration was first recognised at the Euro-African Conference on Migration and Development held in Rabat (Morocco) in 2006 focusing on the West African migration route towards Europe. Since then, France, considering the regional level crucial to the debate on the positive role migration plays in development, organised in November 2008, while holding the Presidency of the European Union, the second Ministerial Euro-African Conference on Migration and Development. West African States took centre stage and ECOWAS’ approach was commended. A multi-annual co-operation programme was adopted focusing on legal migration, combating irregular migration and the synergy between migration and development. The results of these conferences were to feed into Euro-African dialogue at the continental level, started at the Tripoli Conference in November 2006, followed by the definition of the Migration, Mobility and Employment Partnership within the Africa-European Union’s strategy, adopted in Lisbon 2007. This dialogue should continue to benefit from furthering issues linked to West African migration and the ECOWAS Common Approach. This is the aim of this publication which brings together West African, North African and European experts. France is thus delighted with the contributions in this publication by the SWAC and the authors who have undertaken an exercise in independent strategic thinking – crucial within the context of the debate on inter- national mobility – on the strategic stakes of West African migration. Alain JOYANDET, Secretary of State responsible for Co-operation and French-speaking Communities 6 West African Studies – Regional Challenges of West African Migration – ISBN 978-92-64-05593-3 © OECD 2009 Acknowledgements Acknowledgements This publication is a result of the SWAC’s strategic thinking on migration launched in 2005. It also falls within the framework of the collaborative process with ECOWAS, upheld by the SWAC/OECD Director, MrNormand Lauzon. These fruitful exchanges on West African migration led to the adoption of the ECOWAS Common Approach on Migration in 2008 and owes much to the availability and professionalism of the (acting) Director of the Free Movement of Persons Department, MrBaber Tandina. The Approach calls notably for the taking into account of a dynamic and dialogue at the regional level. This aspect is considered by the SWAC/OECD, and in particular its Deputy Director, MrLaurent Bossard, essential in order to decipher West African dynamics and encourage the implementation of coherent policies. His determination is reflected in this periodical. The valuable advice of Mr Jean-Pierre Cassarino, the tremendous competence of MrMandiougou Ndiaye, the expertise of MsNelly Robin and the availability of Mr Paul Albert effectively contributed to this publication. This independent strategic thinking that brings together international African and European experts could not have been carried out under such ideal conditions without the trust of the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and our special interlocutors, Mr Serge Snrech and MsConstance Motte. Team Leslie Diamond — Translation Special thanks to Philipp Heinrigs Sylvie Letassey — Technical coordination Marie Trémolières — Editing and coordination Design and Layout Daniel Krüger/Grand Krü ([email protected]), Katrin Erl, Berlin West African Studies – Regional Challenges of West African Migration – ISBN 978-92-64-05593-3 © OECD 2009 7 Contents Contents Summary 11 1st Part What are the Prospects for a West African Common Approach on Migration? Chapter 1 Migration Management in West Africa within the context of ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and the Common Approach on Migration: Challenges and Prospects by Aderanti ADEPOJU 17 Chapter 2 The Co-operation on Readmission and Enforced Return in the African-European Context byJean-Pierre CASSARINO 49 Chapter 3 Migration and Settlement Management in Sub-Saharan and West Africa byJean-Marie COUR 73 Chapter 4 Migration and Development in ECOWAS Countries: What Role for the Maghreb? by Mehdi LAHLOU 99 Chapter 5 Migration and Population in West Africa: Political Issues and Perspectives by Dieudonné OUEDRAOGO 127 Chapter 6 ECOWAS, an Area of Free Movement and First Border Post for the Schengen Area by Nelly ROBIN 143 8 West African Studies – Regional Challenges of West African Migration – ISBN 978-92-64-05593-3 © OECD 2009