Other documents that may interest you :

• Journal article / Security and human rights,

  Most Western African migrants remain local and travel short distances 28/10/2025

  Summary :

  The paper “Most Western African migrants remain local and travel short distances” by Irene Tafani, Ola Ali, Rafael Prieto-Curiel, and Massimo Riccabon...

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  Country : Burkina Faso , Chad , Gambia , Mali , Niger , Nigeria , Senegal , Guinea

  Organizations : arXiv (preprint – IMT School for Advanced Studies & Complexity Science Hub).
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Journal article / Security and human rights,
Most Western African migrants remain local and travel short distances 28/10/2025
Summary :
The paper “Most Western African migrants remain local and travel short distances” by Irene Tafani, Ola Ali, Rafael Prieto-Curiel, and Massimo Riccaboni investigates migration distances of over 60,000 individuals from eight West African countries (Senegal, Guinea, Gambia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Chad) during 2021–2023. Using Random Forest and XGBoost machine-learning models on International Organization for Migration data, the study finds a bimodal distribution: most migrants move locally within 100 km, while a smaller share travels more than 3,000 km. Key determinants of migration distance include employment status, nationality, and motives for movement, with conflict-driven migration being especially long and unpredictable. The paper underscores that most mobility in West Africa is regional or short-distance and urges policy frameworks that integrate both local and long-range displacement dynamics.
Keywords :
Migration, Conflict, Poverty, Socio-economic integration
Organizations :
arXiv (preprint – IMT School for Advanced Studies & Complexity Science Hub).
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• Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance,

  The Return of Afro-Descendants to Africa: A Bridge Between History and Development Today 15/09/2025

  Summary :

  The article “The Return of Afro-descendants to Africa: A Bridge Between History and Development Today” explores recent legal and symbolic movements th...

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  Country : Senegal , Benin , Ghana , Guinea-Bissau , Sierra Leone

  Organizations : WATHI
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Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance,
The Return of Afro-Descendants to Africa: A Bridge Between History and Development Today 15/09/2025
Summary :
The article “The Return of Afro-descendants to Africa: A Bridge Between History and Development Today” explores recent legal and symbolic movements that encourage the return of people of African descent, framing it as a way to harness memory, identity, and development. The case of Benin is highlighted: a law enacted in September 2024 allows adults proving their Sub-Saharan African ancestry (by genealogical documents or DNA test) to apply for Beninese nationality for a fee of USD 100. Ghana is also discussed, with its “Year of Return” initiative (2019) and policies around citizenship and residence rights for diaspora members. The article also addresses tensions arising from these returns: rising prices, economic disparities, land conflicts with local populations, and the risk of memorialization being instrumentalized. It suggests that more thoughtful policies — combining historical recognition, cultural diplomacy, and economic opportunity — could transform these returns into a genuine bridge between heritage and progress.
Keywords :
Governance, Migration, Diaspora, Pan-Africanism, Nationality
Organizations :
WATHI
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• Academic analysis and Think Tank / Security and human rights,

  Realities and Educational Needs of Migrant Children and Youth in West and North Africa 19/08/2025

  Summary :

  This briefing, authored by Thibaut Girault and Sophia Stille in June 2024 and published by the Mixed Migration Centre (read on WATHI), explores the ed...

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  Country : Mali , Niger , Guinea , Tunisia

  Organizations : WATHI
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Academic analysis and Think Tank / Security and human rights,
Realities and Educational Needs of Migrant Children and Youth in West and North Africa 19/08/2025
Summary :
This briefing, authored by Thibaut Girault and Sophia Stille in June 2024 and published by the Mixed Migration Centre (read on WATHI), explores the educational realities and needs of migrant children and youth in four West and North African capitals – Bamako, Conakry, Niamey, and Tunis. Based on surveys conducted between June 2022 and September 2023 with migrant youth (18–24 years old) and caregivers, it reveals severely limited access to education: over half of children are not enrolled in any educational services (57%), and only 17% attend primary or secondary school. Education ranks as a top priority need, surpassing food aid (20%) and healthcare (18%). Key barriers include financial constraints (41%). The needs and situations differ by city: at least half of caregivers in Conakry reported educational needs for children, one third in Niamey, while in Tunis, there is notable reliance on informal childcare (32%).
Keywords :
Migration, Education, Youth, Human security
Organizations :
WATHI
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• State-national agency report / Governance, Security and human rights,

  Analysis of the Suspension of USAID Activities in the Migration Sector in Mauritania 04/02/2026

  Summary :

  This policy brief examines the consequences of the withdrawal of USAID from migration-related activities in Mauritania in 2025. Although USAID was not...

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  Country : Mauritania

  Organizations : AFD, ICE, PASAS
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State-national agency report / Governance, Security and human rights,
Analysis of the Suspension of USAID Activities in the Migration Sector in Mauritania 04/02/2026
Summary :
This policy brief examines the consequences of the withdrawal of USAID from migration-related activities in Mauritania in 2025. Although USAID was not the country’s largest donor, its exit weakened several key programmes supporting youth resilience, social cohesion, refugee protection and food security. The sudden suspension of funding led to the interruption of flagship projects such as Nafoore and Tamkeen, with significant impacts on local NGOs, UN agencies and municipalities, particularly in migration hotspots like Hodh El Chargui. The analysis highlights that USAID’s withdrawal occurred alongside strengthened European migration control policies, increasing the risk of human rights violations against migrants. While other donors (European Union, KOICA, Italian cooperation) have partially filled the gap, coordination remains limited and fragmented. The policy brief calls for diversification of funding sources, stronger national institutional capacities, and an integrated migration–development–protection approach to ensure the sustainability of migration governance and support mechanisms in Mauritania.
Keywords :
Economic Development, Migration, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Education, Human security, Social, Funding
Organizations :
AFD, ICE, PASAS
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