The Malian government has reported that over 27,800 of its citizens have benefited from a voluntary return program since 2022. This initiative is part of the country's efforts to support migrants who wish to return home. The program, implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), provides various forms of assistance to returning migrants. The government's Ministry for Malians Living Abroad and African Integration oversees the program.
The third steering committee meeting for the Protection, Return, and Reintegration of Migrants in Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA) program took place on October 1 in Bamako. The meeting was chaired by Minister Mossa Ag Attaher and brought together representatives from the IOM, the European Union Delegation to Mali, public services, financial partners, and civil society organizations. The committee reviewed the program's progress and discussed its future implementation.
In addition to assisting Malian migrants, the program has also helped 1,518 foreign migrants in transit in Mali to return to their countries. The program provides a range of services, including economic reintegration projects, vocational training, and psychosocial support. According to the government, over 14,000 economic projects have been supported, and 10,000 vocational training sessions have been provided.
The program's assistance is not limited to economic support. It also provides psychosocial support to migrants who have experienced violence, exploitation, detention, or other traumatic situations during their journey. The European Commission has stated that the program includes medical assistance, temporary accommodation, travel documents, and immediate assistance upon arrival.
The MPRR-SSA program is implemented in countries along the Atlantic, Western Mediterranean, and Central Mediterranean routes. The IOM is responsible for its implementation. According to the European Commission, the program's first phase covered 16 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal, Guinea, and Côte d'Ivoire.
The program's budget for the first phase was €333.8 million, with the European Union contributing €330 million, or 98.9% of the total. A second phase of the program was prepared in 2024, and the committee has requested that it be aligned with Mali's National Migration Policy and National Framework for Migrant Reintegration.
The program's impact is significant, with over 27,800 Malian migrants returning home and 1,518 foreign migrants assisted to return to their countries. The program has also provided thousands of economic projects, vocational training sessions, and psychosocial support services. The government will continue to monitor the program's progress and ensure its alignment with national policies.
Key points
- Over 27,800 Malian migrants have benefited from a voluntary return program since 2022.
- The program provides a range of services, including economic reintegration projects, vocational training, and psychosocial support.
- The program is implemented in 16 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and has a budget of €333.8 million.
