Africa’s migration crisis demands stronger action, says CNDH president

As migration challenges intensify, our need to strengthen our commitment is more pressing than ever, with the numbers, contexts, and consequences becoming increasingly alarming,” Amina Bouayach says.

The President of Morocco’s National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), Amina Bouayach, chaired a meeting of the African National Human Rights Institutions Network (NANHRI) Working Group on Migration on Friday.

Held at the CNDH headquarters, the meeting brought together human rights officials from across Africa to discuss pressing migration issues on the continent. During her speech, Bouayach discussed the evolving nature of migration in Africa, stating that around 21 million Africans currently live in another African country.

She noted North Africa’s role as a major migration crossroads, with thousands of migrants attempting dangerous sea journeys across the Mediterranean. More than 20,000 people lost their lives or went missing in these waters between 2014 and 2022, she recalled.

Bouayach pointed out the factors that drive migration, including armed conflicts, political instability, and climate change. She cited the severe drought in East Africa in 2023, which affected over 27 million people, as an example of how environmental crises are worsening migration challenges.

The CNDH president called for stronger commitments from national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to address violations, monitor migration trends, and influence laws and policies. She also urged increased cooperation between national and international organizations to protect migrants’ rights.

“The urgency of the situation obliges us to make it a top priority,” she stressed.

She also reflected on actions taken by the working group since their last meeting in October 2023. These included a joint pledge initiative for the Global Refugee Forum in December 2023 and a side event on migration and climate adaptation at COP 29 in Baku.

Bouayach finally recalled a workshop organized by CNDH and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in December 2024, which focused on preventing disappearances in migration and ensuring humane border management.