Derrière les projecteurs du tournoi de la CAN, des dizaines de personnalités du football ivoirien, épaulées par des bénévoles, mouillent le maillot pour sensibiliser contre la migration clandestine. Parmi celles-ci, on compte Bakary Koné (dit "Baky"), Arouna Koné, Kader Keita, Marc Zoro, Didier Zokora, ou encore Kandia Traoré.

Ils se déplacent dans des clubs de football, dans des fans zones et des quartiers où ils savent que les candidats au départ sont potentiellement nombreux. C’est pour eux une opportunité de contrer les prédateurs exploitant la vulnérabilité des familles en promettant une vie meilleure et une carrière footballistique internationale à leurs enfants de l'autre côté de la Méditerranée.

L'importance de cet engagement est soulignée par Didier Zokora, dit Maestro, ancien milieu de terrain des Éléphants de Côte d’Ivoire.  "C'est une période de fête, mais également de sensibilisation, car le football exerce un impact très puissant dans mon pays. Actuellement, de nombreuses personnes plaisantent avec les parents en disant : 'Donne-moi deux millions, trois millions, je peux emmener ton fils en Europe.' Nous cherchons à mettre un terme à ce fléau, car de nombreux parents souffrent, et de nombreux enfants perdent la vie en tentant de traverser les frontières sur des bateaux. En tant qu'acteurs majeurs du football ivoirien, nous aspirons à stopper ce phénomène. En tant qu'anciennes gloires, nous possédons une histoire, un vécu, un passé. Ainsi, nous voulons dire aux jeunes Ivoiriens qui rêvent de devenir les Didier Drogba , Yaya Touré de demain, et qui souhaitent aller en Europe, de suivre la voie normale."

Didier Zokora dit Maestro, ancien footballeur ivoirien. Abidjan, janvier 2024. © M'mah Camara

Des témoignages qui changent des destins

Au Royal football club d'Abidjan (Rofca) dans la commune populaire d’Abobo, une cinquantaine d’apprentis footballeurs rêvent d’une carrière internationale. Des trajectoires de jeunes footballeurs, tels que Paul Bérenger, étudiant en communication, rappellent l'impact positif de la sensibilisation. Ayant envisagé le départ, il a renoncé après avoir entendu son idole Baky Koné, ancien attaquant de l’Olympique de Marseille, parler de la gravité de la migration clandestine.

“It is crucial to emphasize the importance of surrounding yourself wisely in the football world to ensure the success of your career. (...) We are aware that choosing to travel by sea exposes you to dangers. (...) .), our obsession with success should not compromise our security. (...) Personally, I had taken all the necessary steps, including obtaining my passport, to succeed, not only for myself, but also for my family and loved ones. However, listening to former footballers talk about the risks associated with illegal migration, I decided to give up this option."

Baky Koné, Ivorian striker and Paul Bérenger, communications student at the Royal Football Club of Abidjan (ROFCA). January 2024 © M'mah Camara

With a smile on his face, Baky Koné, the Ivorian striker demonstrates that he has just won a bet. One of the Rofca players has given up his plan to migrate to Europe. But for him, nothing is won. Even after the CAN, this type of initiative must continue.

"We are trying to take advantage of the CAN to raise awareness among our young brothers about these scourges. It is very important because it is already something that we have always done alongside. When we see young people trying to do bad choice, we try to raise awareness each time. But there, it's even more pleasing when the ministry associates our image with this kind of awareness raising. I do it with pleasure, because quite a few people would like to see us and listen our history."

From European dream to local hope: the coach's journey  

Ibrahim Traoré, the coach of the Rofca team, himself tried to join Europe in 2009, when he was 22 years old. In total, the sum of 3,000,000 CFA Francs (4,600 euros) was paid by his parents to facilitate his departure. Abandoned by the person who had promised them the dream, he ultimately remained stuck in Morocco for more than two years, living in a cramped three-room apartment with around ten people, all victims of this network. Football professionals spotted him and convinced him that he had a future in Ivory Coast. He explains his adventure to potential immigrants in his club and tries to guide them, but his voice does not always carry.

"The football adventure, when it is well prepared and you know where you are going, is more enriching. Everyone is reassured: the trainers, the parents, and even the player himself when leaving, because we know that he evolves from one club to another. I myself am a living example. I tried the adventure in Morocco, but the idea was not to stay there, but rather to go to Europe I was convinced by professionals who were already in Morocco, and who tried to explain to me that I had not taken the right path. It was after that that I returned to Abidjan and that I decided to become a coach in my country. (…) There are certain experiences that we can explain, because we are with them every day. They may not believe us, but when celebrities come and talk about it with them, I think we won't have to deal with this kind of case again here in our club."

The coach of the Royal Football Club of Abidjan (Rofca), Ibrahim Traoré, with players. January 2024 © M'mah Camara

The importance of collective commitment

This mobilization caravan launched on January 18 at the Agora of Abobo is supported by the national volunteer program, managed by the Ministry of Youth Promotion, Professional Integration and Civic Service, in collaboration with the National Civic Service Office (OSCN).

Volunteers raising awareness in the streets of Abobo. January 2024 © M'mah Camara

More than 20,000 volunteers have been trained on topics such as illegal migration, but also on sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, drugs and alcohol. These young people, in turn, will have to pass on this advice to those around them and in the neighborhoods. On the occasion of the CAN, the collective of former football glory, the government and volunteers want to score decisive goals in the lives of thousands of young dreamers.

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