Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean have formed a new partnership to address migration challenges while harnessing the potential of migrants for sustainable and inclusive development in the region. The two organizations signed a technical cooperation agreement on September 23 during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized that migrants can drive positive change and development, highlighting their contributions to local economies and communities. “Migrants bring skills, innovation, and unique perspectives that are essential for building resilient economies and…

Pope Francis is set to embark on a four-day visit to Belgium and Luxembourg from September 26 to 29, despite suffering from a mild flu. This visit will focus on highlighting the challenges faced by migrants and include a meeting with survivors of clerical abuse. The Vatican confirmed that the 87-year-old pontiff, who had to cancel meetings earlier due to flu symptoms, will continue with the scheduled trip. This rare European tour comes shortly after Francis completed a 12-day journey across Southeast Asia and Oceania. During his visit, he will celebrate the 600th anniversary of two Belgian Catholic universities, while…

Italy is considering a new proposal that would ban the use of anonymous SIM cards for migrants who do not have a valid residence permit. This proposal has been put forward by representatives of Fratelli d’Italia, Giovanni Donzelli and Francesco Michelotti, as part of efforts to improve security and communication transparency. The proposal is aimed at preventing the misuse of “ghost SIM cards” by individuals who cannot be easily identified. According to Donzelli and Michelotti, these SIM cards are often used by people who wish to stay anonymous, and banning them would increase transparency and help authorities better monitor communications.…

Three migrants were confirmed dead, and many more are feared missing after their boat sank near the Greek island of Samos on Monday. The Greek coastguard reported that the boat, carrying at least 30 migrants, foundered off the rocky shores of Agios Isidoros in the northwestern part of the island. The deceased were all women, according to officials. The search and rescue operation has so far led to the recovery of five survivors, including a pregnant woman and a minor, who were immediately taken to the hospital for medical checks. Their conditions remain undisclosed. The coastguard continues its efforts to…

Far-right anti-migrant activist Sheffi Paz has been sentenced to 45 days in prison for vandalizing the European Union diplomatic mission in Tel Aviv in 2020. The 72-year-old activist, known for her outspoken campaigns against asylum seekers in her south Tel Aviv neighborhood, showed no remorse during her sentencing by the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir condemned the court’s decision, arguing that right-wing activists receive disproportionately harsher penalties than their left-wing counterparts. He voiced his support for Paz, calling her fight against illegal immigrants a shared struggle, particularly for residents of south Tel Aviv, who have…

Uzbekistan and Türkiye are collaborating to establish a qualification assessment center aimed at labour migrants. The Ministry of Employment in Uzbekistan announced that this initiative will develop a professional certification system to evaluate the skills of Uzbeks seeking employment abroad. The project is designed to ensure that workers’ qualifications align with international standards, enabling them to obtain certificates recognized across Europe. This initiative comes on the heels of a recent visit by Mustafa Najmi Ilhan, the head of Türkiye’s Qualification Development Organization. During his visit, Ilhan and his delegation toured various vocational training centers throughout Uzbekistan, gaining insights into the…

In Tunisia, hundreds of migrants live in dire conditions in makeshift camps set up in olive groves near Sfax. Since the evacuation of downtown Sfax in mid-2023, these migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, have been living without state support. The camps are isolated, with no access to clean water, proper sanitation, or medical assistance. Many migrants suffer from injuries sustained during fights with local Tunisians or between different migrant groups. Others are battling serious diseases such as cholera and typhoid due to poor hygiene and drinking contaminated water. Life in these camps has become increasingly dangerous, with violence escalating daily.…

The European Commission has announced a new aid package of 14 million euros to support the Canary Islands in managing the growing migration crisis. This was revealed during an official visit by European Vice President Margaritis Schinas to Tenerife and El Hierro, where he met with the Canarian President, Fernando Clavijo. The funds are aimed at helping the islands cope with the “exceptional” circumstances they are facing due to the surge in migration. Schinas assured the Canary Islands that they “will not be alone” in this crisis. Alongside the financial aid, Spain has the option to request additional support from…

The European Union’s new migration and asylum rules have ignited a heated debate across member states, with critics arguing that the proposed system could effectively allow illegal migrants and human smugglers to shape Europe’s demographic future. This contentious issue has brought to the forefront long-standing tensions between EU institutions and member states over border control, national sovereignty, and the fair distribution of asylum seekers. At the heart of the controversy is a distribution mechanism proposed by the EU, which some argue could give unprecedented influence to migrants and smugglers in determining who gets to live in Europe. This has raised…

In a significant move to curb illegal migration, Moroccan authorities have arrested 152 individuals accused of using social media to incite an attempted mass border crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. This development, announced by government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas, marks a new phase in Morocco’s efforts to control migration flows to Europe. The arrests came in the wake of a recent incident where thousands of young Moroccan men attempted to cross into Ceuta. According to Baitas, approximately 3,000 people were involved in this illegal migration attempt, which was ultimately thwarted by what local human rights activists describe as the…