Niamey – From 24 to 30 January 2022, senior Nigerien government representatives involved in border management travelled to Guinea and Sierra Leone to observe best practices and solutions to common challenges in border management. The visit, facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Niger, was an opportunity for the participants, including Nigerien representatives of the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Prefecture of Tibiri in the Maradi region to meet their counterparts from Guinea and Sierra Leone and share experiences.

 “Through this study visit, we aimed to expose Nigerien officials to good practices in Guinea and Sierra Leone as they have faced similar challenges to Niger, including conflict in border regions, transnational crime, and public health issues, said Barbara Rijks, IOM Niger’s Chief of Mission.  “We truly believe that cross border collaboration and information sharing across countries in the West African region can help to reduce risks and protect migrants and border communities,” she added.

During the meetings, participants discussed common issues in border security, inter-agency cooperation, cross-border trade, and community engagement. The findings of the study visit are expected to inform cooperation and community engagement initiatives in the tri-border Liptako-Gourma region as well as the future management of an integrated border post being constructed with IOM support along Niger’s border with Nigeria in Birni N’Konni, in the Tahoua region.

“The study visit allowed the identification of good practices in border management, while promoting the free movement of people and goods,” said the Prefect of Tibiri, Mr Alghabid David, a participant. Since 2015, IOM’s Immigration and Border Management (IBM) unit in Niger has implemented projects aimed at strengthening Niger’s capacity in border management at national and regional levels through various activities, including trainings for national authorities, construction and rehabilitation of border posts, community engagement, and the expansion of the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) system.

The study visit was organized with funding from the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.  

For more information, please contact Aïssatou SY, Public Information Officer, Tel: +227 8006 6531, aisy@iom.int