February Press Review
International
Sudan: UN struggles to cope with thousands of daily arrivals in South Sudan transit camps
UN News, 23 February 2024
Since the outbreak of fighting, the influx of people fleeing Sudan has increased sharply at multiple border points, and more than half a million individuals have crossed the South Sudan border, according to UN estimates.
At the UN-run transit centres in Renk, staff are helping exhausted individuals to travel onwards to their final destinations in the hope of avoiding large numbers staying in this extremely remote, poorly resourced part of the country.
Read full article here: https://news.un.org/en/interview/2024/02/1146907
Free movement in west Africa: three countries leaving Ecowas could face migration hurdles
TheConversation, 22 February 2024
For Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, a recent decision to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has thrown up questions about how they will navigate regional mobility in future.
Ecowas covers a variety of sectors, but migration is a major one. The bloc’s protocols since 1979 have long been seen as a shining example of free movement on the continent. They gave citizens the right to move between countries in the region without a visa, and a prospective right of residence and setting up businesses.
Read full article here: https://www.polity.org.za/print-version/free-movement-in-west-africa-three-countries-leaving-ecowas-could-face-migration-hurdles-2024-02-22
As Sudan conflict fuels epic suffering, UN launches humanitarian and refugee response plans for 2024
OCHA and UNHCR, 07 February 2024
he United Nations and its partners today appealed for a combined $4.1 billion to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs of civilians in war-torn Sudan and those who have fled to neighbouring countries.
Ten months since the conflict erupted, half of Sudan’s population – some 25 million people – needs humanitarian assistance and protection. More than 1.5 million people have fled across Sudan’s borders to the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan.
The expansion of fighting in Sudan – including to the country’s breadbasket, Aj Jazirah – has created one of the world’s largest displacement and protection crises. Hunger is rampant, with nearly 18 million people facing acute food insecurity.
Read full article here: https://www.unhcr.org/eg/43857-as-sudan-conflict-fuels-epic-suffering-un-launches-humanitarian-and-refugee-response-plans-for-2024.html
Regional
The Kingdom of Lesotho streamlines border operations to facilitate trade efficiently
Southern Africa Development Community, 4 March 2024
The Kingdom of Lesotho validated the draft Coordinated Border Management (CBM) National Strategy which is geared at enhancing border efficiency by eliminating redundancies, duplications, and delays without compromising controls, safety and security in Maseru, Lesotho between 26 - 27 February 2024.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, through the European Union (EU) funded SADC Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP) provided technical assistance to the Kingdom of Lesotho in developing the draft CBM.
Read full article here: https://www.sadc.int/latest-news/kingdom-lesotho-streamlines-border-operations-facilitate-trade-efficiently
Tanzania, Zambia sign MOU To Address Illegal Migration Drug Trafficking
Lusakatimes.com, 16 February 2024
Zambia and the United Republic of Tanzania have signed two Memorandums of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in Immigration matters and combating drug abuse and trafficking.
The MOU was signed at the just ended Second Session of the Tanzania-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security in Unguja, Zanzibar.
Read full article here: https://www.lusakatimes.com/2024/02/16/tanzania-zambia-sign-mou-to-address-illegal-migration-drug-trafficking/
National
Immigration should not be regarded as negative
South African Government, 29 February 2024
The Southern African region has a long history of intra-regional migration, and all Member States of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) participate in labour migration flows as either country of origin, transit, or destination. In the SADC region, migrant workers are mostly found in agriculture, fishing, mining, construction, food processing, domestic work, caregiving and other informal sectors.
Read full article here: https://www.gov.za/news/media-statements/employment-and-labour-immigration-29-feb-2024
NGOs slam SA's immigration reform proposals
Koena Mashale (Sowetan live), 07 February 2024
Civic and human rights organisations have slated government's mooted reforms of immigration laws, describing the proposals as "a threat to the security of refugees and migrants in SA".
Home affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi introduced proposals to overhaul immigration system by publishing a white paper on citizenship, immigration and refugee protection last year. The white paper suggests a raft of changes to immigration laws including SA's potential withdrawal from UN Convention and Protocol on refugees and asylum seekers.
Read full article here: https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2024-02-07-ngos-slam-sas-immigration-reform-proposals/
Photo by Pexels on Pixabay
Categories:
Tags: