Arusha – IOM, the International Organization for Migration and the East African Community (EAC) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen relations between the two organizations, and work on responses and interventions on migration in the region. The MoU was signed by the Secretary General (SG) of the East African Community, H.E. Ambassador Peter Mathuki, and the Regional Director for East and Horn of Africa for IOM, Mr. Mohammed Abdiker on Friday (18 June).

Building upon a previous cooperation agreement developed in 2006 by IOM and the EAC, the newly signed MoU lays the groundwork for further partnership to unlock the potential of migration and tackle the region’s migration-related challenges – including providing vital support to migrants at risk and their communities, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Within the respective mandates of EAC and IOM the newly signed agreement will further cooperation to address the adverse drivers of displacement and irregular migration, find durable solutions and sustainable reintegration for displaced persons and returning migrants.

Strengthened cooperation as a result of the MoU will also improve health service delivery to reduce disease-related mortality and morbidity among migrants and mobile populations, including by promoting progressive inclusion of migrants into national health plans and Universal Health Coverage.

Other benefits of the new agreement include mobilization of the diaspora to contribute to sustainable development as well as support for the creation and implementation of migration-related policies and frameworks, including those aiming to facilitate greater mobility of persons while also reducing the incidence of irregular migration.

By agreeing to pursue the establishment of a ‘Regional Consultative Processes on Migration (RCP)’ the MoU also paves the way for an informal, non-binding environment for EAC states in the region to find common ground, exchange information, and develop a collaborative approach to migration management and governance.

The agreement recognizes the continued partnership in support of the Regional Ministerial Forum on “Harmonizing Labour Migration Policies in the East and Horn of Africa – a United Approach on Safe, Regular and Humane Labour Migration” (RMFM), which seeks to facilitate access to decent jobs, and protect migrant workers. Finally, the organizations agreed to cooperate in strengthening the capacities of EAC and its Partner States as well as in research, statistics, data sharing, access and utilization within and across the EAC Partner States.

“The EAC commends IOM for the continuous support to the EAC Secretariat in the coordination of joint migration activities geared towards free movement of labour and persons in the region. The signing of the revised 2021 EAC-IOM MoU is timely to provide for new developments in area of migration management. We appeal to IOM for more technical and financial support to implement and operationalize the migration management priorities in the East African Community,” said H.E. Ambassador Mathuki.

On signing the agreement, Mr. Abdiker said, “IOM is committed to supporting the East African Community, including its Partner States, in promoting cooperation and development, including its efforts to attain a prosperous, competitive, secure and a politically united East Africa. Mobility is central to regional integration, especially as outlined in the Common Market Protocol and underlined in this MoU, which builds on fifteen years of partnership since the previous agreement and lays the foundation for an ever-stronger partnership between the two organizations.”

For more information, please contact the IOM Regional Office in Nairobi: Yvonne Ndege, Tel: +254 797735977  Email: yndege@iom.int