Ivorian president vows to back moves to end irregular migrants heading to Italy
President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast has promised continuous support to halt irregular migrants heading to Italian shores during a discussion Wednesday with his counterpart Sergio Mattarella in the capital Abidjan.
Italy has for years been struggling to deal with the challenge of large numbers of people arriving on its island of Lampedusa from North Africa en route to Europe.
“I have affirmed the readiness of Ivory Coast to continue to work within the framework of the agreement signed between the two ministers in charge of security to fight against irregular immigration to Italy,” Ouattara said at a joint news conference.
Mattarella, who arrived in Abidjan on Tuesday, recognized Ivory Coast’s role in the stability of the region and as a major security partner for Italy and Europe.
He also expressed his country’s commitment to the stability and development of the African continent and West Africa in particular.
Recall that the International Organisation for Migration described 2023 as the deadliest year on record, with 8,541 migrants reportedly drowned on the move.
The UNÂ migration agency stated in a report published on Tuesday that nearly 60 per cent of deaths in 2023 were linked to drowning.
According to the UN agency, one in three migrant deaths happens while people flee conflict, and more than two in three migrants whose deaths have been documented remain unidentified.
“Despite the many lives lost whose identities remain unknown, we know that almost 5,500 females have perished on migration routes during the last 10 years and the number of identified children is nearly 3,500,” Ugochi Daniels, IOM Deputy Director General for Operations, said commenting on the recent findings.
