AU/ African Union Member States Convene to Address the Plight of Missing Migrants in Africa

            INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE

Press Release No: 127/2025                                        Date: 17^th September ,2025
Venue: Virtual        

African Union Member States Convene to Address the Plight of Missing Migrants in Africa

The (AU) in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), hosted an AU member states virtual meeting on 4th September 2025 to address the pressing issue of Missing Migrants in Africa. The meeting brought together experts, policymakers and key stakeholders to share experiences, best practices and strategies for preventing migrant disappearance and supporting affected families.

Since 2014, 77,113 deaths have been documented during migration in Africa by IOM’s Missing Migrants Project This data highlights the need for developing continental guidelines aimed at improving prevention, protection and support measures throughout Africa.

The meeting underscored the urgent need to strengthen coordination and collaboration among AU member states and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to protect migrants’ rights and dignity, as well as the need to continue working together to address the complex challenges associated with irregular migration.

Dr Sabelo Mbokazi, Head of Division for Labour, Employment and Migration, in his remarks affirmed African Union’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of migrants. ‘’This meeting is a vital step towards developing effective strategies to address the issue of missing migrants and promoting a more coordinated and humane approach to migration management in Africa” Dr. Mbokazi added.

The AU member states committed to taking immediate and collective action to address the challenges of missing migrants in Africa and its impact on the affected families and communities. Member States were urged to:

·       Enhance Policy Frameworks: Strengthen existing policies and frameworks to prevent migrant disappearances, protect migrants’ rights and support affected families.

·       Improve Coordination: Establish effective mechanisms for coordination and information-sharing among member states, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other key stakeholders.

·       Protect Migrants’ Rights: Ensure that migrants’ rights are respected, protected, and promoted, particularly for vulnerable groups.

·       Support Affected Families: Provide psychological, psychosocial, legal and other forms of support to families of missing migrants.

The meeting further brought to light the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) Resolution 486 adopted in July 2021, that addresses the issue of missing migrants and refugees in Africa and the impact on their families. This historic resolution urges AU member states to take measures to prevent people from going missing, protect human rights during migration, coordinate efforts to identify missing persons and support families.

The meeting concluded with a strong recommendation for African Union Commission to fast-track putting in place a continental guideline on missing migrants that will strengthen AU member states, RECs and other key stakeholders’ coordination, search for and rescue, data collection and information exchange, as well as protection of the affected individuals and their families.

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Sabelo Mbokazi | Head of Labour, Employment and Migration Division | Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | African Union Commission | E-mail: MbokaziS@africanunion.org

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Faith Adhiambo | Communication | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail: ochiengj@africanunion.org 

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