UK seeks partnerships in Africa to address ocean migration

Tackling the drivers of migration

ETHIOPIA: Meeting with UK firms in Ethiopia, Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper is seeking to strengthen job creation backed by UK investment to the economic drivers of illegal migration as well as stronger partnerships to tackle criminal smuggler gangs in the Horn of Africa following increasing number of small boat arrivals originating in the region.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), around 30% of small boat arrivals over the past two years include nationals from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan.

On her first visit to the continent as Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper will set out how she is strengthening FCDO action to tackle illegal migration – increasing prevention, law enforcement and returns along key routes.

She will meet telecoms firm Safaricom, backed by a British consortium and British International Investment (BII), UK-supported companies who are increasing opportunities for Ethiopians to find work at home, support themselves and contribute to their economy, rather than making the long and dangerous journey to seek a new life overseas.

Cooper will sign a Joint Development Agreement to take forward two energy transmission projects totalling over $400 million developed by Gridworks – a British International Investment company that delivers UK investment across Africa.

Tackling illegal gang activity

In a bid to strengthen cooperation with the Ethiopian authorities to tackle the brokers and criminal gangs organising illegal migration from the Horn of Africa into Europe and the UK, and to speed up the return of Ethiopian nationals, the UK will fund Border Security Command as well as support Ethiopian law-enforcement agencies.

“We are forging new partnerships with countries across Africa and delivering long term solutions. We are working together to tackle the economic drivers of illegal migration and the criminal gangs who operate globally, profiting from trading in people,” she said.

PHOTO: On her first visit to the continent as Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper will set out how she is strengthening FCDO action to tackle illegal migration – increasing prevention, law enforcement and returns along key routes.