On 8 July, an expert discussion took place at DIE on the influence of EU migration policy on freedom of movement in West and North-East Africa. Since the so-called European refugee crisis of 2015, the control of irregular migration from Africa has been the focus of European migration policy. This conflicts not least with African initiatives to promote the free movement of persons and regional integration. The Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is now regarded as established, and similar agreements are being prepared in other regions.
Clare Castillejo, Associate Researcher at DIE, presented the results of a study, which was conducted as part of the BMZ-funded research project „Reducing the causes of flight and shaping migration“. Representatives of the European Commission and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) commented on the study. In addition, colleagues from BMZ, GIZ and the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) took part in the discussion.