Bamako – Assisting migrants to return to their countries of origin sometimes requires creativity and the cooperation of several IOM member states. This month Mali stepped up to offer its territory as a transit point for dozens and West and Central Africans heading to eight countries of origin after being stranded in Algeria.

Last week (13/11), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) assisted 108 stranded West and Central African migrants to voluntarily return from Algiers, Algeria’s capital, to their countries of origin. Thirty of those passengers were Malians. The 78 others —including 24 women—returned to eight different countries, including Guinea, Nigeria Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of The Congo.

On this second charter from Algeria, the passengers were selected for their vulnerability and special circumstances—for example, many were women—including single mothers—and children. IOM spokesperson Florence Kim explained that having Mali as a transit point averts leaving smaller groups of migrants originating from countries—such as Benin—from remaining stranded in Algeria while their return to their countries of origin is being organized. 

“It is essential to guarantee the safety of migrants willing to return home. The 78 non-Malians transited through Mali to avoid being stranded in Algeria too long,” explained Pascal Reyntjens, IOM Chief of mission in Mali. “An efficient transit reception mechanism also helps ensure thorough identification of the assisted migrants including the confirmation of their vulnerabilities.”

Before departing, IOM protection team screened the passengers to ensure their safe and sustainable return. Upon arrival in Bamako, Mali’s capital, the non-Malian migrants were accompanied by IOM Mali staff to their respective countries of origin via land and/or air, where they received with post-arrival and reception assistance.

Regardless of the country of return, all returnees will receive immediate assistance upon arrival, including food, pocket money and onward transportation to their final communities of origin. In-kind reintegration assistance will also be available to start a new life back home.

The charter was made possible thanks to the cooperation and support of the Algerian government, the Malian government, in partnership with Air Algérie and with the contribution of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. All governments of the migrants' countries of origin helped to provide the travel documents necessary for the movement of their nationals.

This movement falls under IOM’s Global Migration Governance Framework (MiGOF) Objective 3: 'Migration should take place in a safe, orderly and dignified manner'. It is also in line with the Target 10.7  of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): “Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies”, and Target 17.17 “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships”

For more information, please contact Florence Kim at IOM Regional office for West and Central Africa: Tel: +221786206213; Email: fkim@iom.int.