IN AFRICA
MIGRATION
FOR DEVELOPMENT
II. The strategic framework for managing migration
IN AFRICA
1. Migration
governance
Effective migration governance harnesses
the multiple benefits of migration, and
counters the negative affects it may entail.
Migration governance can be defined as
the traditions and institutions by which
authority on migration, mobility and
nationality in a country are exercised,
including the capacity of the government to
effectively formulate and implement sound
policies in these areas 15. Agenda 2030
calls for effective migration governance in
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10,
which urges countries to reduce inequality
within and among countries by facilitating
orderly, safe, regular and responsible
migration and mobility of people, including
through the implementation of planned
and well-managed migration policies.
Better migration governance is the
overarching objective of the MPFA, which
provides guidance on migration governance
in different thematic areas. This section
highlights key tenets of global migration
governance, which is the foundation for
effective migration policy development and
implementation. The IOM 2015 Migration
Governance Framework sets out a vision for
comprehensive migration governance which
benefits migrants and society. It is based
on the following principles: complying
with international standards and law and
securing migrants’ rights; developing
evidence-based policies through a whole-of
government approach; and engaging with
15
IOM (2015): Migration Governance Framework
partners to address migration and related
issues. In adhering to these principles, a
state should aim to achieve the following
objectives through its migration and
related policies, law and practice: aid the
socioeconomic well-being of migrants and
society; effectively address the migration
aspects of crises, and facilitate safe, orderly
and dignified migration. The prioritisation
of these elements will depend on the
migration dynamics of each state.
Migration is inevitable, and needs to be
better governed in an integrated manner
through comprehensive, human-rights
based and gender-responsive national
migration strategies and policies. These
instruments need to incorporate the myriad
of areas that migration intersects with,
and engage all the national authorities and
agencies involved in these areas, through
a whole of government approach and
national coordinating mechanisms. RECs,
CSOs, International Organisations and
the business community also contribute
to migration governance and need to be
engaged in the planning, implementation,
and monitoring and evaluation phases
of migration governance. The RECs’
role in migration governance lies in the
regional coordination and harmonisation
of migration-related standards, policies,
initiatives and laws, among their Member
States. Moreover, they are well placed
to identify regional trends and enhance
regional cooperation through regional
policies, dialogue processes, capacity
building and programmes. CSOs have a role
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