Sayreen calls for developing international cooperation to combat illegal immigration
Port Sudan/Mohamed Babiker
Interior Minister Khalil Pasha Sayreen called for finding radical solutions to illegal immigration by developing cooperation and partnerships between exporting countries, transit countries, and destination countries for migrants.
He stressed، during a press briefing after his participation in the Mediterranean Forum on Illegal Immigration in Libya on July 17 and 18, that Sudan represents the first line of defense against illegal immigration, which requires supporting it through coordination, cooperation, and implementing security requirements.
The minister added that Sudan has become a transit country for illegal immigration, pointing to challenges such as the vastness of the country, the length of the borders, and the weakness of the capabilities allocated to combating the phenomenon.
He referred to the experience of the joint forces between Sudan and neighboring countries (Libya, Chad, and the Central African Republic) and their role in reducing illegal immigration, affirming that their cessation contributed to increasing the flow of illegal immigrants.
The forum discussed the political, social, economic and geopolitical challenges related to the phenomenon of illegal immigration, and held sessions to discuss the development of policies based on common interest, the creation of financing means to address the causes of the phenomenon, and the coordination of search, rescue and shelter efforts. It also addressed enhancing cooperation between European and African countries to improve the management of ports, combat smuggling, and enhance border security.
The final statement of the forum confirmed the challenges of African and European countries, and stressed the endeavor to find a strategic framework between countries to address the causes of the phenomenon, enhance channels of regular migration, and improve countries’ capacities to manage migrants.
The conference agreed to allocate a specialized task force from member states to develop a long-term strategy to enhance channels of partnership between countries, provide funding, and identify the needs of exporting and transit countries to reduce illegal migration.