EU and Niger sign new agreement to fight human traffickers
Migrants leave the city of Agadez to reach Libya in an attempt to reach Europe.
(Illustrative image June 2015) © AFP / ISSOUF SANOGO
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
Since 2015, Niger has implemented a policy of deterrence to reduce the attractiveness of its territory, which has become a land of transit for migrants.
A policy linked to subsidies from the European Union.
Advertising
Read more
With our correspondent in Brussels,
Pierre Bénazet
According to the European Commission, cooperation with Niger is “
moving up a gear
” thanks to the signing of this operational partnership to combat human trafficking.
Since 2017, 700 criminals have been arrested.
The new agreement with the EU should allow Niger to increase the impact of the joint investigation team which was established within the framework of the European civilian mission (EUCAP) Sahel-Niger.
And according to Hamadou Adamou Souley, Nigerien Minister of the Interior, this new cooperation agreement will make it possible to both protect borders, protect migrants and improve living conditions for all: "
All that these migrants ask for, it is to live with dignity;
it is to be treated like human beings.
This is what Niger is trying to offer them as an opportunity.
This is why we open our borders to these migrants and we try as much as possible to accompany them.
»
For Hamadou Adamou Souley, the important thing now is to implement the new projects mentioned by the European Commissioner for Home Affairs during her visit to Agadez, namely economic development projects which will make it possible to give new activities to those who used to live on the migration.
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_EN
Niger
European Union
International Migrations