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EU: Tracking the Pact: Commission "to step up border management support at Libya’s Southern border"

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23 September 2021

The European Commission intends "to step up border management support at Libya’s Southern border," according to a draft action plan on cooperation on migration with Niger. New working arrangements will be signed between Frontex and EU missions EUCAP Sahel Niger and EUBAM Libya, that "could help the Governments of Niger and Libya shore up border management at their mutual land border," says the document.

See: NOTE from: Commission Services to: Delegations: Operationalization of the Pact – Action plans for strengthening comprehensive migration partnerships with priority countries of origin and transit Draft Action Plan: Niger (Council doc. 11950/21, LIMITE, 20 September 2021, pdf)

"The Commission intends to step up border management support at Libya’s Southern border, while in parallel strengthening cross-border cooperation between Libya and its bordering countries in the South, including Niger.

In this context and in line with Niger’s new Migration Action Plan, the EU will also aim to facilitate the conclusion of negotiations for working arrangements between EUCAP Sahel Niger and EUBAM Libya, on the one hand, and Frontex on the other. These working arrangements could help the Governments of Niger and Libya shore up border management at their mutual land border.

In light of the considerable deterioration of the security situation in the Sahel and political instability in neighbouring Chad, Mali and Libya, Niger remains a key partner in the Sahel in terms of addressing migration, notably as a transit country from West Africa towards Libya and Algeria, and further to the Mediterranean. The EU will seek to upgrade its close cooperation with Niger to address regional challenges related to migration and border management, such as migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings."

To back up these - and the many other activities listed - more money is heading the way of the Nigerien government:

"In support of [the Nigerien government's action plan on migration], the EU aims to focus its financial and technical assistance and capacity-building support on: strengthening migration management and asylum, improving the protection of IDPs, refugees and persons of concern and the resilience of host communities (with a focus on persons evacuated from Libya as well as irregular migrants transiting through or returning to Niger); enhancing Niger’s operational capacity to fight criminal networks; developing economic alternatives to a smuggling-based economy while supporting forcibly displaced persons; and supporting Niger in reaping the benefits of legal migration and freedom of movement via regional (ECOWAS) and African economic integration opportunities."

See: NOTE from: Commission Services to: Delegations: Operationalization of the Pact – Action plans for strengthening comprehensive migration partnerships with priority countries of origin and transit Draft Action Plan: Niger (Council doc. 11950/21, LIMITE, 20 September 2021, pdf)