Abidjan – With the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Government of Côte d’Ivoire opened a new border post on December 14 in the northeast of the country, at the border with Burkina Faso. This border crossing point is located on a strategic road which has been newly constructed by the Ivorian authorities.

Built in accordance with international standards and with due regard to the fundamental rights, the post was inaugurated in the presence of the Minister of the Interior and Security, the Ambassador of Japan and the IOM Chief of Mission in Côte d’Ivoire.

The construction of this infrastructure was carried out as part of the project “Strengthening Border Security in Côte d’Ivoire” funded by the Government of Japan for an amount of USD 1,050,000 to enhance the capacity to control the movement of people in this insecure geographical area. The project also strengthened the capacity of 140 agents including police officers and local authorities, and raised awareness among more than 3,000 members of local communities to work with police officers and administrative authorities on duty at the border through a coherent border management approach.

“In the context of security threats related to cross-border crimes, terror attacks, trafficking in human beings and the smuggling of migrants, the construction of border crossings in line with international standards in this area remains a national priority,” said Sidiki DIAKITE, Minister of the Interior and Security.

IOM’s Chief of Mission in Côte d’Ivoire, Marina Schramm, reiterated IOM’s readiness to support the Ivorian Government in its efforts to effectively manage its borders in view of the many challenges related to migration. “The smuggling of migrants across international borders has become a global threat to migration governance and migrants’ well-being. Effective border management is also part of a comprehensive response to migrant smuggling,” she said.

“One of the main objectives of Japan’s Economic Cooperation with Côte d’Ivoire is to maintain a secure and stable society,” said Hideaki KURAMITSU, Ambassador of Japan. She also stressed the importance of border security in achieving this objective, as the border is not only a place of trade and commerce, but also a strategic point for national defence.

Côte d’Ivoire is one of the West African countries with the highest number of migrants on its territory, with 2.2 million people living and/or working in the country. Between January 1^st, 2017 and October 31^st, 2018, IOM Côte d’Ivoire assisted 4,889 Ivorian migrants in their voluntary return to Côte d’Ivoire, including 1,284 women (26%).

For more information, please contact Marina Schramm, Chief of Mission at IOM Côte d’Ivoire, Tel: +225 22528200, Email: mschramm@iom.int