EU braces for potential surge in migration after Niger coup

The European Union faces a potential rise in irregular migration after last year’s coup in Niger, according to Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson.

The military takeover led to the revocation of a law that previously helped control the flow of West African migrants to Europe.

This development comes as the EU prepares for a crucial vote on its new migration pact, designed to address the ongoing migration challenges.

Johansson expressed concern about the situation in Niger, fearing it could lead to a significant increase in irregular arrivals.

The EU has been actively seeking cooperation with African nations to curb unwanted immigration.

UN data reveals that this year has already seen over 45,500 irregular entries into the bloc, though significantly lower than the 2015 peak fueled by the Syrian refugee crisis.

In recent years, rising anti-immigration sentiment across Europe has prompted the EU to tighten border controls and restrict asylum laws.

The upcoming vote on the new migration pact is a response to this pressure.

The pact aims to streamline procedures, expedite asylum decisions, and facilitate returns of rejected applicants.

While Johansson anticipates approval of the pact, concerns have been raised by human rights organizations.

They argue that the pact violates fundamental rights, including the detention of children.

Experts like Federica Toscano from Save the Children Europe urge the EU to prioritize protecting vulnerable populations fleeing conflict and hardship.

Migration expert Alberto-Horst Neidhardt acknowledges the complex nature of the issue and warns against unrealistic expectations regarding the pact’s immediate impact.

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