Joint Declaration of African Diaspora organizations for the Valletta Summit on Migration
Brussels, 9th November 2015
We, the representatives of African Diaspora organizations:
- having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948;
- having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union;
- having regard to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms;
- having regard to the Geneva Convention of 1951 and the additional protocol thereto;
- having regard EU resolution of 9 October 2013 on measures to tackle the flow of refugees from Syria;
- having regard to its resolution of 23 October 2013 on the Lampedusa Tragedy;
- having regard to the Commission Communication on the work of the Task Force Mediterranean of 4 December 2013;
- having regard to the Rabat (11 July 2006) and the Khartoum (November 2014) processes dealing with policy dialogues with countries along the western migratory and the eastern migratory routes adopted in the framework of EU cooperation with Africa on migration”;
- having regard to its resolution of 29 April 2015 on the latest tragedies in the Mediterranean and EU migration and asylum policies;
- having regard to the Commission’s European Agenda on Migration of 13 May 2015;
- having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 10 September 2015 on migration and refugees;
- having regard to the European Council conclusions on Migration of 12 October 2015;
- having regard to the conclusions of the Meeting on the Western Balkans Migration Route of 25 October 2015;
- considering the article 3 (q) of the protocol on amendments to the constitutive act of the African Union which invite and encourage the full participation of the African Diaspora as an important part of the Continent;
- considering that at the roots of “forced migration” are conflicts, human rights violation, weaknesses in terms of governance, political persecutions, persistent poverty, discriminations etc…;
- considering that other causes of migration include weak urbanisation policy, extreme poverty in the rural areas– movement from rural to townships; and weak health care systems;
- whereas 86% of refugees worldwide are hosted by developing countries and non EU Member States ( Pakistan, Lebanon, Iran, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Chad, Uganda), with extremely limited resources;
- whereas Peace, Security, Economic competitiveness, access to public service good governance, democracy, the respect human rights are keys for human development,
- whereas an efficient migration policy should be closely connected with interdependent dimensions mainly development issues, conflicts and humanitarian interventions, peace building processes, trade and investment policies, foreign and security policies;
- considering the situation of refugees at European borders;
- whereas international refugee protection is a fundamental Right and a moral duty for the all States;
- considering the needs in terms of integration of migrants and asylum seekers.
- considering that African Union, in its protocol on the amendment to the Constitutive Act of 2003, recognizes the Diaspora as the ‘sixth region’ of Africa.
- considering the contribution of the Diaspora to the devolpment of Africa and the impact of diaspora remittances.
Request to the European Union and Member States to:
- recognize migration as a positive phenomenon for economic development of both countries of origin and hosting countries.
- recognize and facilitate the role of migrants and Diasporas to sustainable development in both their countries of origin and destination; support the creation of collabolative platforms to leverage their untapped potential for job creation and entrepreneurship, capacity building, financing for development, knowledge, skills and technology transfer at the service of sustainable development of home countries;
- address root causes of irregular migration flows; strengthen the development cooperation and invest in instruments that promote economic independence, human development, and sustainable peace in developing countries;
- Mainstream Migration into development planning and associate Diasporas in policy making and implementation processes;
- Strengthen the rescue operations at the European maritime borders and foster cooperation with transit countries;
- further support the African Facility for Peace to improve stability on the continent;
- elaborate an approach that respects Human Rights of refugees and respect the right of those who are still seeking asylum;
- support the displaced in developing countries to rebuild their lives, access jobs;
- support the development of greater analytical and research capacity in developing countries to inform policy responses;
- create and guarantee acceptable and human reception capacities that take into account the most vulnerable mainly children, women, unaccompanied minors and infirmed;
- work on creating legal channels for labour migration and promote circular migration including seasonal labor migration;
- ensure peace processes and facilities evoke a gender balance leadership;
- reassess Practical Modalities that become obstacles for family reunification;
- guarantee to asylum seekers the right to work during the review of their asylum demands;
- guarantee equal access of migrants to the labor market by facilitating the recognition of diploma and facilitating their access to education and training opportunities and fighting against discrimination in employment and the workplace;
- provide basic services for the young refugees and asylum seekers in the area of health such as Trauma and dealing with transition difficulties;
- Create funding mechanisms to faciltate the contribution of Diasporas to development;
- Support the creation of database for diaspora experts their contribution to the capacity buildin and job creation in their home countries.
Request to the African Union and all African Countries to:
- get fully involved in the search for solutions for forced Migration;
- strengthen the relationship with African diaspora, facilitate and encourage diaspora investments in the development of their home lands;
- support the creation of collabolative platforms at national and continental levels to leverage the untapped potential of Diaspora for job creation and entrepreneurship, capacity building, financing for development, knowledge, skills and technology transfer at the service of sustainable development of african countries;
- promote good governance and economic development; address the economic root causes of migration mainly low wages, social inequalities, unemployment, rural underdevelopment, environmental threats, demographic factors, poverty and establish appropriate national multi-stakeholder mechanisms that include all national and external forces mainly civil society, private sector, women and Diasporas;
- urgently work towards moving beyond Aid Dependency and promote policies and actions that allow human development mainly the optimal management of natural resources, sound fiscal policies, responsible and win-win trade, investments and gender based development…;
- toughen actions for peace and security, conflict prevention and conflict management by focusing on the fight against the profound causes of conflicts mainly political persecutions, poor governance, discrimination and corruption, human rights violations;
- step up efforts in promoting democracy, good governance and the rule of law, peaceful and fair electoral processes;
- ensure peace processes and facilities evoke a gender balance leadership;
- foster educational systems and youth employment and youth entrepreneurship and encourage among citizens, mainly youth, the spirit of responsibility and ownership of their destiny;
- explore, identify and implement country specific programs that reduce the impact of remittances and target reduction of poverty that can lead to greater health and education expenditures;
- Promote regional integration to facilitate intra-African trade and free movement of persons; Request to the United Nations to:
- strengthen multilateral cooperation in the areas of Migration;
- mainstream Migration into development planning and recognize diasporas as important development actors;
- promote the respect the rights of all migrants mainly the most vulnerable.
- promote practical action to increase the benefits of migration for countries of origin, destination, and migrants alike, while reducing its economic and human costs;
- strengthen cooperation instruments in the areas of humanitarian aid, conflict prevention and peace building and sustainable development.
SIGNATORIES:
| Names | Organisation | Country of origin | Host Country |
| Marie Chantal Uwitonze | African Diaspora Network in Europe (ADNE) | Rwanda | Belgium |
| Doreen Walsweer-Sore | African Diaspora Network in Europe (ADNE) | Kenya | Belgium |
| Christella Musaninyange | African Diaspora Network in Europe (ADNE) | Burundi | France |
| Latifa Aït-Baala | African Diaspora Network in Europe (ADNE) | Morocco | Belgium |
| Dr. Chinedu Madichie | African Diaspora Network in Europe (ADNE) | Nigeria | United Kingdom |
| Sangwa Rwabuhihi | African Diaspora Network in Europe (ADNE) | Rwanda | Germany |
| Guggi Laryea | African Diaspora Network in Europe (ADNE) | Ghana | Belgium |
| Henri Désiré N’Zouzi | African Diaspora Network in Europe (ADNE) | DRCongo | Belgium |
| Christian Ofili | African Diaspora Network in Europe (ADNE) | Nigeria | Belgium |
| Mamadou Alpha Diallo | African Diaspora Network in Europe (ADNE) | Senegal | Belgium |
| Christian Sebanyambo | African Diaspora Network in Europe (ADNE) | Rwanda | Belgium |
| Erika Kaneza | African Diaspora Network in Europe (ADNE) | Burundi | Belgium |
| Manel Msalmi | African Diaspora Network in Europe (ADNE) | Tunisia | Belgium |
| Alexis Indenge | African Diaspora Network in Europe (ADNE) | DRCongo | Belgium |
| Mika Diallo | Cercle des Etudiants Guinéens en Belgique | Guinea | Belgium |
| Aya Kasasa | Consultant | DRCongo | Belgium |
| Gaston Djiguemde | – | Burkina Faso | Netherlands |
| Indira Yanni-Domingo | Indirâh Events & Communication | Benin | France |
| Siméon Ndaye | African Diaspora Network in Europe (ADNE) | DRCongo | Belgium |
| Rose Marie Louise Simba | AfrikaOase | Luxembourg | |
| Bajat Myriam, | Association NISSA | Morocco | Belgium |
| Ngandu LouiseAndreattah Chuma | Aire de Femmes asblPoet | RDCongoBotswana | BelgiumBelgium |
| Mokhtari Hassan | Forum des Belgo-Marocains, | Morocco | Belgium |
| El Bouharrouti Hassan | Euromed-CDC | Morocco | Belgium |
| Edwige Marcelle Abena | APEDEF asbl | Cameroon | Belgium |
| Léon Balapukayi Kamba | NETEVE asbl | DRCongo | Belgium |
| Christian Liongo | Africa Rise asbl | DRCongo | Belgium |
| Maureen Duru | Food Bridge vzw | Nigeria | Belgium |
| Albert Mukulumani | Fédération Congolaise de Bruxelles | DRCongo | Belgium |
| Ghislain Bertin Zobiyo | BiP Media | Cameroun | Belgium |
| Margo Sene | DSP-Afrique | Senegal | France |
| Steve Mambou | DSP-Afrique | Cameroon | France |
| Madany Tall | DSP-Afrique | Senegal | France |
| Grâce Nkouka | DSP-Afrique | Congo Republic | France |
| Joséphine Eyoum-Moundi | DSP-Afrique | Cameroon | France |
| Tania Akindes | Indirâh Events & Communication | Benin | France |
| Graziella Yanni | Indirâh Events & Communication | Benin | France |
| Cosme Zinsou Quenum | Indirâh Events & Communication | Benin | France |
| Hafsah Shuaib | Indirâh Events & Communication | Nigeria | United Kingdom |
| Amir Yanni | Student | Nigeria | United Kingdom |
| Nvenakeng Suzanne Awung | The Forgotten Green Heroes | Cameroon | Belgium |
| Christiane Villaça | Indirâh Events & Communication | Benin | United Kingdom |
| Fanny Laure Munezero | Rwandan Diaspora in France | Rwanda | France |
| Camille Villaça | Indirâh Events & Communication | Benin | Italy |
| William Mathey | Consultant | Cameroon | France |
| Saleha Pinhorn | Professional language Coach & Language Immersion at Can Speak French | Algeria | United Kingdom |
| Juliette Tchuenbou | AMAFF | Cameroon | France |
| Paul Kananura | The Mandela Institut | Rwanda | France |
| Kiane Keita | Kocoon Art | Ivory Coast | France |
| Marie-Jo Dioullo | Consultant | Ivory Coast | France |
| Adolphe Mundere | Rwandan Diaspora in Germany | Rwanda | Germany |
| James Ololo | Kenya Exparts vzw | Kenya | Belgium |
| Frederique De Meideros | Novi Recrutement | Ivory Coast | France |
| Elizabeth Nwankwo | Nigerians in Diaspora Organisations in Belgium and Luxembourg (NIDOE-Belux | Nigeria | Belgium |
| Fatima Zouine | Indirâh Events & Communication | Morocco | France |
| Nella Mehissou | DSP-Afrique | Benin | France |
| Pulchérie Nyinawase | Rwandan Diaspora in Belgium (DRB-Rugari) | Rwanda | Belgium |
| Nadège Silou | DSP-Afrique | Congo Republic | France |
| Norbert Nsabimana | Consultant-Formateur-Coach at NEXT STEP HR | Rwanda | Belgium |
| Binta Sagna | Africa Rise asbl | Senegal | Belgium |
| Chris Tossou | Indirâh Events & Communication | Benin | France |
| Clarisse Ingabire | – | Rwanda | Italie |
| Mohamed Ly | AFCAO | Mauritania | France |
| Pape Guisse | Indirâh Events & Communication | Senegal | France |
| Yves Rurangirwa | Rwandan Diaspora in Belgium (DRB-Rugari) | Rwanda | Belgium |
| Pascaline Kasongo Feza | Urafiki wa Feza asbl | RDcongo | Belgium |
| Ouma Maroothanaden | Indirâh Events & Communication | Mauritius | France |
| Chantal Karara | Rwandan Diaspora in Belgium (DRB-Rugari | Rwanda | Belgium |
| Francis Akpomedaye Abutoh. | Shakuma Fitness International | Nigeria | Belgium |
| Azubuike Erinugha | Towncrier Projects | Nigeria | Germany |
| Michele Ingabire | – | Burundi | Belgium |
| Jane Ura | African Diaspora for Freedom of Religion | Nigeria | Belgium |
| Claudine Umukazi | Rwandan Diaspora in Belgium | Rwanda | Belgium |
| Yentyl Williams | ACP Young Professionals Network (YPN) | – | Belgium |
| Manzi Bakuramutsa | ASBL Mpore & Centre Belgo-Africain d’Arts et des Cultures | Rwanda | Belgium |
| Sammy Sambu | Association of Kenyan Diaspora in Belgium and Luxembourg | Kenya | Belgium |
| Alison Kaneza | Icompassion-Ubuntu asbl | Burundi | Belgium |
| Collins Nweke | Nigerians in Diaspora Organisations Europe (NIDOE) &Global Change for Africa | Nigeria | Belgium |
| Françoise Mironko | Communication Consultant | Rwanda | Belgium |
| Brigitte Mukengeshayi | African Diaspora Network in Europe (ADNE) | DRCongo | Belgium |
| Aimable Karirima Ngarambe | Journaliste at Igihe | Rwanda | Belgium |
| Aline Mwizerwa | Accountant | Rwanda | Belgium |
| Abdou Lo | Association of Senegalese Students in Belgium | Senegal | Belgium |
| Chadia Hezukuri | Fresh graduate | Burundi | Belgium |
| Amadou Gallo Thiam | Association of Senegalese Students in Belgium | Senegal | Belgium |
| Madeleine Kamba | NETEVE asbl | Rwanda | Belgium |
| Sandrine Uwimbabazi | Rwandan Diaspora in Belgium (DRB-Rugari) | Rwanda | Belgium |
| Sitiboye Diédhiou | Association of Senegalese Students in Belgium | Senegal | Belgium |
| Ali Sine | Association of Senegalese Students in Belgium | Senegal | Belgium |
| Janvier-Regis Habimana | Senior IT Consultant | Rwanda | France |
| Abdoulaye Fall | Association of Senegalese Students in Belgium | Senegal | Belgium |
| Moussa Cissé | Association of Senegalese Students in Belgium | Senegal | Belgium |
| Moussa Gueye | Association of Senegalese Students in Belgium | Senegal | Belgium |
| Anne Sylvie Ngabehi | Mayera pour l’enfance asbl | Ivory Cost | Belgium |
| Khadim Sarr | Association of Senegalese Students in Belgium | Senegal | Belgium |
| Mamadou Athie | Association of Senegalese Students in Belgium | Senegal | Belgium/ France |
| Ingrid Kamikazi | Consultant | Burundi | United Kingdom |
| Lionelle Kingsley-Bio | Burundian Diaspora in the UK | Burundi | United Kingdom |
| Sybille Kaneza | Consultant | Burundi | United Kingdom |
| Barry Owino | Model Delegate International | Kenya | Belgium |
| Martin Koyabe | Consultant | Kenya | United Kingdom |
| Oliva Kissaka | NetEve asbl | Tanzania | Belgium |
| Lilian Nabora | Lilian Nabora Creative Media | Tanzania | Belgium |
| Rose Dieter | Consultant – | Kenya | Austria |
| Emmanuel Manongi | CTA | Tanzania | Belgium |
| Mireille Schepers | Intercultural Competence Consult / I.C. Consult | RDcongo | Belgium |
| Iliza Ngendahimana | Student | Rwanda | Swizland |
| ChristellePandanzyla | Roots events Network | RDcongo | Belgium |
| Leah Njambi | Student | Kenya | Germany |
| Isaac Boadu | Consultant | Ghana | Belgium |
| Vickie Wambura Nafisika | Trust Fund | Kenya | United Kingdom |
| Guy-Serge Biteghe-Bi-Ntoughe | Consultant | Gabon | Belgium |
| Luce Gloria NishimweChantal Kamatari Juliette Nijimbere Michaele Bayowale Adekeye | Independent ArchitectCollectif des femmes des femmes burundaises pour la paix et la sécuritéCollectif des femmes burundaises pour la paix et la sécurité Global Village World | Burundi Burundi Burundi Nigeria | Belgium Belgium Belgium Belgium |
| Yaina Samuels | CEO NuHi Training | Sierra Leone | Belgium |
| Peninah Achieng- Kindberg | African Voices Forum | Kenya | United Kingdom |
| Teko Agbenou | Consultant | Togo | Belgium |
| Sophie Gitiba | Diaspora Initiatives | Kenya | United Kingdom |
| Joseph Nene | Association of Kenya diaspora in Belgium and Luxembourg | Kenya | Belgium |
| Maureen Ndlovu | Siyanda Development Trust | Zimbabwe | United Kingdom |
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