Mombasa - In a milestone for Integrated Border Management (IBM), delegates from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda convened in Mombasa, Kenya (14 – 18 March 2022) to validate the Regional Integrated Border Management Training Manual and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Cross Border Cooperation.

The Validation Workshop was a culmination of extensive consultations with government partners on interventions to enhance IBM operations in the East and Horn of Africa (EHoA) region, following Regional Consultative Workshops successfully held in September and November 2021 for both the IBM Training Manual and the SOPs on Cross Border Cooperation respectively. 

The IBM Training Manual was developed to provide learners with the necessary tools to strengthen migration governance in East and Horn of Africa, deepen cooperation at all levels within and between States to address migration-related challenges, and effectively provide assistance to vulnerable migrants and victims of trafficking at local, national, and regional level. 

The SOPs on Cross- Border Cooperation consolidate gains from cross- border coordination derived from existing bilateral agreements, in addition to good practices and lessons learnt from government institutions across the region.

“The need for cross- border cooperation was imperative in the East and Horn of Africa region as countries continue to build their capacity in the field of Integrated Border Management, enhancing both security and facilitation at respective Points of Entry,” said Alexander Muteshi, the Director General of Immigration and Citizen Services in Kenya. 

The Validation Workshop featured robust discussions on Integrated Border Management training modules which will be rolled out to front line border officials across the region together with modalities for implementation of the SOPs on Cross Border Cooperation. The workshop also included highly productive bi - lateral engagements, with key recommendations developed on cross border cooperation including the implementation of joint trainings and learning exchange visits among participating countries.

“Indeed, States have expressed their aspiration to build a more cooperative and integrated region that can take on the challenges and consequences of globalization. Cross border cooperation processes are therefore significant channels to achieve this goal through regional integration, peacebuilding, and development to promote migration management in the EHoA region,” said Ali Abdi, Senior Regional Programme Manager for the Better Migration Management (BMM) programme.

The development of the Regional Integrated Border Management Manual and the Standard Operating Procedures on Cross Border Cooperation was implemented under the the Better Migration Management (BMM) Programme, funded by the European Union and the Government of Germany. It is aimed at enabling national authorities and institutions to facilitate safe, orderly, and regular migration and effectively address and reduce trafficking in persons and people smuggling  within and from the Horn of Africa region by applying a human rights-based approach. 

For more information, kindly contact cmkude@iom.int or mtui@iom.int