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 Last week the EU has opened its first migration centre outside the EU. The Migration Information and Management Centre (CIGEM) in Mali's capital, Bamako, aims to provide information and guidance to Africans wishing to migrate to the EU and to discourage illegal immigration. Thousands of African migrants risk their lives attempting to cross over to Europe illegally in search of jobs and many pass through Mali. The CIGEM is a pilot project financed by the European Commission, and intended to form part of a comprehensive EU approach to migration.
While the CIGEM is an information centre and will not be involved in recruitment, it is anticipated that in the future European countries may be able to use the office to recruit African migrant workers. The centre was officially opened on Monday 6 October by Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure, EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel and French Immigration Minister Brice Hortefeux. The inauguration was followed by a Round-table debate on migration issues in Europe and Africa, involving national, regional and international decision-makers and stakeholders. "This centre paves the way for managing migration flows more effectively," said Michel. "Instead of demonising the migration phenomenon, it should be supported, structured and managed optimally." Observers have stressed that the root causes of migration can only be addressed through promoting development, particularly by way of fairer trade regulations. In Mali the cotton growing industry is severely hindered by US subsidies to cotton farmers which make it difficult for Malian farmers to compete in international markets. The new centre is expected to play a role in promoting development within Mali as well as providing information on migration. Sources: |
