The Horn of Africa region can achieve long-term growth, peace, and stability by enacting policies and legislation to facilitate structured human mobility across borders, according to a report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The report calls for the free movement of civilians to enable the region to harness the full benefits of integration, including sustained economic growth, political stability, and social cohesion. It emphasizes the importance of addressing climate change, human trafficking, high youth unemployment, and infectious diseases that pose existential threats to the safe, orderly, and human movement of civilians.
The inaugural State of Migration in East and Horn of Africa report, compiled by the IOM in conjunction with the East African Community and Intergovernmental Authority on Development, covers 12 countries and offers a comprehensive insight into the mobility dimension of regional integration, trade, and the impact of migration on health, gender parity, and climate resilience. The report calls for enhanced labor mobility, revamping of border posts through digitization, and sustainable reintegration of migrants fleeing turmoil and economic hardships.
The report’s findings emphasize the need for Horn of Africa states to reform their human mobility policies to address the region’s most pressing challenges. By fully integrating migrants and protecting their civil liberties, the countries can address the shortage of skilled labor, unleash innovations and enterprises, and lift the region out of poverty. However, the report also underscores the importance of careful management of human mobility to avoid exacerbating inter-communal tensions and other security risks.
The IOM’s State of Migration in East and Horn of Africa report provides a comprehensive analysis of the mobility dimension of regional integration, trade, and the impact of migration on various aspects of society. By calling for reform of human mobility policies to promote safe, orderly, and human movement of civilians, the report highlights the potential of human mobility to drive long-term growth and stability in the Horn of Africa region.
