Nearly half of African countries have criminalised migrant smuggling, and Côte d’Ivoire should follow suit. Statistics show that Côte d’Ivoire ranks among the top countries of origin for migrants from West Africa to Europe. Initially, the country’s political upheaval between 2002 and 2010 triggered the high numbers of migrants from Côte d’Ivoire. Exploitation begins in Côte d’Ivoire for those who can’t afford air tickets and opt to obtain ‘boxing tickets’. ENACT research shows that Côte d’Ivoire isn’t among the 22 African countries that have criminalised the offence of ‘smuggling of migrants’.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 18, 2021 09:22 UTC