Kilimanjaro – IOM, the UN Migration Agency, organized a three-day training course on OSBP operations for 26 frontline border officials from across the East and Horn of Africa (EHoA) region. Running from 3 to 5 May, the training focused on key migration governance principles, the OSBP concept as a key strategy in enhancing regional integration and trade facilitation, and the important role it plays in protecting migrants in vulnerable situations.

Held at IOM’s Africa Capacity Building Centre (ACBC), the training drew participants from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda representing Namanga, Lunga Lunga, Taveta, Moyale and Cyanika OSBPs and traditional border crossing points including Galafi, Mpondwe, Nadapal, Nimule, and Dhobley. As part of the training, participants had a site visit and walkthrough of the Taveta/Holili OSBP facility between Kenya and Tanzania.
   
The main objective of the training was to equip the frontline border officials with the knowledge and skills required to operate OSBPs efficiently. The training also provided an opportunity for discussions between the delegates on improving inter-agency coordination to address trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants and minimizing impediments to cooperation and facilitation of cross-border trade.

“OSBPs are important avenues to assist and protect migrants in vulnerable situations or affected by crises through effective coordination, information-sharing, resource mobilisation, and full ownership by partners at the regional and country levels. However, the effective operation of OSBPs requires a high level of coordination and cooperation between different agencies and stakeholders” said Mr Ali Abdi, BMM Senior Regional Programme Manager.

Made possible through funding from the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under the Better Migration Management (BMM) programme, the training was based on the IOM Integrated Border Management (IBM) Training Manual for the EHoA Region and the Standard Operating Procedures on Cross-Border Cooperation in the EHoA Region developed under the second phase of the programme through a collaborative effort with the ACBC and in partnership with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the East African Community (EAC).

The Better Migration Management (BMM) Phase III programme is financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Its objective is to improve the safe, orderly regular management of migration within the Horn of Africa by applying a human rights-based approach. The programme is implemented by British Council, CIVIPOL, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, IOM, and UNODC in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda.

For more information, please contact Charles Mkude, BMM Deputy Regional Programme Manager, Email: cmkude@iom.int or Leon Buyu, BMM Programme Assistant (Immigration and Border Governance), Email: lbuyu@iom.int