The Beninese government says it is working closely with the authorities in Equatorial Guinea to organise the return of Beninese migrants trapped in a difficult situation.
The government through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says it has taken steps to repatriate several dozen of its citizens currently stranded in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.
These migrants were rescued after drifting at sea for almost 20 days following a fuel failure while attempting to reach Gabon.
Meeting on October 2, the cabinet approved the implementation of a repatriation operation.
The authorities are appealing to the migrants for patience and cooperation in order to facilitate their return.
The government took the opportunity to remind the public of the dangers of irregular immigration.
The migrants were part of a group of 87 people, including Togolese and Burkinabes, on board a boat bound for Gabon.
Their boat ran out of fuel and the captain set them adrift, never to be seen again.
After 20 days without food or drinking water, they were rescued by the Bata gendarmerie.
The vice president of the Beninese community in Equatorial Guinea, Gilbert Yisséssou Sagbo, appealed to their government to intervene and facilitate the repatriation of these compatriots.
The Beninese government responded by launching an operation to repatriate them.
Cotonou recalled that such tragedies highlight the deadly risks of irregular immigration.
Benin reaffirms its commitment to the protection of its citizens abroad and ensuring their safe return.
According to the report “Migration Trends to Watch in Africa 2024” by Wendy Williams, published on January 23, 2024, intra-African migration has increased by 44% since 2010.
It is mainly motivated by economic opportunities, especially to countries such as South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria.
Rural exodus, exacerbated by the effects of climate change, is driving millions of people to urban centres, which could lead to international migration.
Climate change, which has reduced agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa by 34%, is a key driver of migration.
By 2050, about 10 percent of international migration will be linked to these effects, particularly in southern Africa.
AC/sf/lb/as/APA