EFFEXT Final Conference: Policy-Research Dialogue: Ways Forward in African Migration Governance

The EFFEXT project team organised their final conference in collaboration with the Department of Social Anthropology at Addis Ababa University. 

The conference took take place over two days: 2 and 3 December 2024. 

The first day was an academic workshop for invited guests. 

Day two comprised a day of policy and research dialogue at the Hilton Hotel, Addis Ababa. In the conference, Ways forward in African Migration Governance, participants will reflect on the effects of EU externalisation policies on Africa and the Middle East and will consider how African countries fit into global migration agendas. 

Draft agenda, 3 December 2024: 

08.30-09.00 Arrival and registration 

 09.00 – 09.20 Welcome and opening remarks  

 09.20 – 10.45 Session 1: A Cross-Regional Conversation: Understanding Externalization in Africa and the Middle East Chair: Are John Knudsen (CMI/EFFEXT) 

Panelists: Endeshaw Moreda (Physical Protection Head, Refugee Response Service),  Abel Cherinet (IOM), Abebaw Minaye (Research Chair on Forced Displacement and MIgration), Onike Shorunkeh-Sawyerr (Advisor Support to the AU on Labour Migration and Free Movement GIZ/African Union), Hans Lucht (DIIS/EFFEXT)

Migration is key for development in Africa and the Middle East. Yet, countries in Africa and the Middle East face key challenges and opportunities in their cooperation with the EU – especially relating to the European prioritisation of curbing irregular migration and increasing returns. In turn, the EU has different motivations for externalisation policies in countries in Africa compared to the Middle East. This panel considers how regional challenges related to conflict, instability, and being hosts of large refugee populations, impact on externalisation policies and their effectiveness.

10.45 – 11.00 Refreshments  

11.00 – 12.30 Session 2: From Policy to Practice: The Rippling Effects of Externalisation  Chair: Ida Marie Vammen (DIIS/EFFEXT)  

Panelists: Yohannes Sisay (National Partnership Coalition on Migration Secretariat), Amanda Bisong (VU Amsterdam), Cathrine Talleraas (CMI/EFFEXT)

While many European-funded initiatives focus on reducing the incentive to travel to Europe, they also have wide-reaching consequences beyond local and regional migration dynamics. These consequences may be intended or unintended and can be seen as rippling effects of European policy. Often, these policies are designed and implemented without a full recognition of their social repercussions and the on-the-ground realities. We ask, what are the consequences of externalisation policies, and how can such policies be designed and implemented in a way that respects human rights and promotes fair treatment of migrants?

12.30 – 13.30 Lunch  

13.30 – 14.45 Session 3 – Panel discussion: What is in the African or Global Agendas?  Chair: Oliver Bakewell (EFFEXT/GDI, University of Manchester) 

Panelists: Tekalign Ayalew (Addis Abeba University), Girmachew Zewdu (Netherlands Embassy Policy Officer), Franzisca Zanker (Arnold Bergstraesser Institute Senior Researcher), Leander Kandilige (University of Ghana/ EFFEXT Researcher), Niklas Mayer (Maastricht University)

International organisations, such as the UN, the EU, and the African Union, play key roles in shaping migration governance in Africa. In some policy areas, the migration agendas align, whereas there are some areas in which the priorities differ, creating challenges and disconnects. Additionally major global migration trends – climate change, economic migration – also affect Africa and externalisation policies within Africa. This session questions where African countries have distinct priorities compared to global frameworks, and asks how African countries can balance their own national interests with global norms and standards.

14.45-15.00 Refreshments 

15.00 – 16.00 Session 4: Ways forward in African migration governance Chair: Kiya Gezahegne (CMI/GDI/EFFEXT)

Panelists: Oliver Bakewell (GDI), Leander Kandilige (University of Ghana), Are Knudsen (CMI), Hans Lucht (DIIS), Ida Marie Savio Vammen (DIIS), Cathrine Talleraas (CMI)

African countries each have different needs and face unique challenges in managing migration. However, global migration networks and policies do not always recognise this. This final roundtable considers how African countries can ensure that global migration frameworks respond to individual challenges, and asks how African countries can leverage their collective voice to influence global migration governance.

16.00 – 16.15 Concluding remarks (Cathrine Talleraas)