Rising Dangers for African Migrants Heading to Europe, U.N. Report Says

In Summary

• More migrants and refugees in Africa are moving towards the Mediterranean and Europe, facing perilous routes and various forms of abuse.
• The report indicates an increase in the risk of sexual, gender-based violence, and kidnapping during the journey.
• Conflict, economic challenges, repression, and climate change in developing countries continue to drive migration despite rising anti-immigrant sentiment.

Tunis, Tunisia- A recent report published by the U.N. refugee and migration agencies and the Mixed Migration Centre reveals that an increasing number of migrants and refugees in Africa are moving northward towards the Mediterranean and Europe, facing dangerous routes in the Sahara where criminal groups subject them to various forms of abuse.

Vincent Cochetel, the UNHCR Special Envoy for the Western & Central Mediterranean Situation, highlighted the grim reality: “Many people tell us that they are aware of someone who has died on the way, normally more on the land routes than on the sea routes. The risk of sexual, gender-based violence has also increased to 15%. It was 12.5% in the previous report.”

The report, titled “On this Journey, No One Cares If You Live Or Die,” emphasizes that land crossings in Africa are twice as deadly as the sea routes across the Mediterranean, which are already known as the deadliest maritime path for migrants globally. Cochetel noted a significant increase in the risk of kidnapping: "It used to be mentioned by 2% of the respondents four years ago. Now it is mentioned by 18% of the respondents. Almost one out of five claim that the journey involved that risk of kidnapping."

Despite the rise in anti-immigrant sentiment among politicians in Europe and elsewhere, factors such as conflict, economic challenges, repression, and the effects of climate change in many developing countries continue to drive the flow of migrants across borders, exposing them to risks of physical harm and death.

The increase in journeys towards the Mediterranean is attributed to new conflicts and instability in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Sudan. However, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Guinea remain the top countries of origin for migrants.

Laurence Hart, the IOM Director, Coordination Office for the Mediterranean, commented on the deceptive practices of smugglers and traffickers: “Oftentimes smugglers and traffickers have a very capable way of communicating and enticing migrants and showing them how things can be easy, the price can be low but then it turns out to be a nightmare.”

Despite the risks highlighted by the report, more than 72,000 migrants and refugees crossed over in the first half of the year, underscoring the persistent and desperate push towards Europe.