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EU-AFRICA: The Valletta process gets going: €125 million for border control and security; €21 million for training and job programmes
15 June 2016
Six projects worth a total of €146 million have been approved by the European Commission as part of the follow-up to the Valletta Summit. Four of the projects focus on policing, security and border control, while two focus on education and training opportunities for "young Chadians in vulnerable situations" and "job and training opportunities for returnees and people most likely to migrate" from the Gambia.
The money has come from the “Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa” which was set up in November 2015 after the Valletta Summit, where the EU, its Member States and African states agreed on a number of ways to slow or halt migration to Europe.
A European Commission press release (reproduced below) provides some more detail on the six projects that have been announced.
Description of the six new measures adopted to tackle the root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in the Sahel region and Lake Chad Basin
Brussels, 13 June 2016
The European Commission today announced the introduction of 6 new measures in the Sahel region and the Lake Chad Basin, worth over EUR 146 million in total. Adopted under the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa following the Valletta Summit, these measures will help improve stability in the region and tackle the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement.
The European Commission today announced the introduction of 6 new measures in the Sahel region and the Lake Chad Basin, worth over EUR 146 million in total. Adopted under the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa following the Valletta Summit, these measures will help improve stability in the region and tackle the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement. Altogether 30 schemes have been launched in the region since January 2016, for a total of over EUR 382 million.
Outline of the measures adopted today
At regional level
The measures at regional level aim to provide a coherent response to the needs of the countries in the region in terms of migration management, combating trafficking and improving the identification of persons, while facilitating returns and reintegration.
Rapid Action Groups - Monitoring and Intervention in the Sahel (GAR-SI SAHEL) (EUR 41.6 million) The overall goal is to help boost the national authorities’ operational capacity to control their territory effectively and to extend the rule of law across the entire Sahel region by creating robust, flexible, mobile, multi-disciplinary, self-sufficient police units able to exercise proper control on the ground.
At national level
In Burkina Faso, one programme (EUR 25 million) will be implemented to support integrated border management.
Support programme for integrated border management in Burkina Faso (PAGIF-BF) The programme is to underpin implementation of the ‘Support Programme for Integrated Border Management (PAGIF)’ together with Burkina Faso’s neighbours so as to improve living conditions, security and stability for people in border areas. The aim is to support work to strengthen the institutional framework in Burkina Faso and neighbouring countries for efficient border management, to strengthen links and interoperability between the agencies involved in securing borders in Burkina Faso in coordination with neighbouring countries, and to increase the presence of the State in the cross-border areas.
In Mali, one project (EUR 29 million) will be carried out, its aim being to strengthen security in the Mopti and Gao regions and to improve the management of border areas so as to prevent irregular migration, smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings.
Programme of support for enhanced security in the Mopti and Gao regions and for the management of border areas (PARSEC Mopti-Gao) This programme aims to help strengthen the rule of law in the area through the increased effective presence of security forces operating as part of civilian missions (police, gendarmerie, national guard, Malian Armed Forces (FAMa), customs, civil protection). A special effort will be made to ensure that these Malian forces, their counterparts in the neighbouring countries, and the other parts of the Malian criminal justice system coordinate their activities so as to offer security for the people and better management of cross-border flows, the goal being to rebuild a security net that will foster stability and economic and social development.
In Niger, one measure (EUR 30 million) will contribute to the fight against organised crime, smuggling and human trafficking.
Support for justice and security in Niger to fight organised crime, smuggling and human trafficking (AJUSEN) This scheme will support the deployment of Nigerien State authorities throughout the country, particularly in the Sahel-Saharan region, to combat organised crime, smuggling and human trafficking.
In Chad, one programme (EUR 10.3 million) will be implemented to help vulnerable young Chadians (with poor schooling or none) integrate better into society and working life and more generally to enhance their skills by structuring the formal integration and training schemes available.
Support for the social and occupational integration of young Chadians in vulnerable situations The programme’s overall objective is to boost regional stability, addressing the root causes of instability by promoting better economic prospects, greater equality of opportunity, and improved security and development.
In The Gambia, one programme (EUR 11 million) will help to boost the country’s economic development and reduce migratory pressure.
The Gambia youth empowerment scheme The programme aims to develop the economy, offering job and training opportunities for returnees and people most likely to migrate.
Background and further reading
Valletta Conference 11-12 November 2015 Update: Final texts and full documentation (Statewatch News Online, November 2015)