From July 22 to 26, the Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques d'Adiopodoumé in Yopougon hosted the second training and research session on African migration.

At the end of the session, participants decided to publish a book on research contributions and exchanges of practice in the fight against the phenomenon. Professor Amalaman Martin, lecturer and researcher at the Peleforo Gon Coulibaly University in Korhogo, and country representative of the Réseau de formation de recherche et d'action sur la migration africaine (REFORMAF), asserted that the issue of migration remains unresolved.

“There are spheres of this question that have not been explored. For example, the question of human rights in relation to migrants' rights. This issue has not been sufficiently explored. And it deserves to be explored in relation to African migrants”, he says. 

Professor Amalaman Martin pointed out that research has shown that the phenomenon affects women and children. “The migration of women and minors is complex on two levels. They are vulnerable people and their treatment in terms of human rights is different from that of others”. Continuing, the representative noted that Côte d'Ivoire, originally a country of immigration, has become a country of emigration. In this respect, the teacher-researcher deplored the lack of a migration policy and a system to guide and support returnees towards reintegration.

Theory and practice

On the subject of minors, REFORMAF president Dr Théogène argued that many children under the age of 16 arrive in Europe unaccompanied. This raises child protection issues. He was delighted with the quality of the debates, reflected in the diversity of the contributions. The Chairman was delighted that the issue of climate change and its consequences had also been raised. The Chairman mentioned that this session had bridged the gap between theory and practice. Researchers presented their work, while practitioners, including humanitarians, presented their experiences.

Five modules were studied by the participants. These included: “African migration and migration policy in Europe”; ‘African migration and human rights’; ‘Children and migration’, ‘Migration and climate change’; ‘Women and migration’; ‘Migration and development’.

César Ebrokié/ Lemandatexpress