In recent days, 157 Burkinabe nationals returned to their home country as part of a voluntary return and reintegration program organized with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This humanitarian operation reflects the commitment of the Burkinabe government and its partners to offer a dignified alternative to migrants in vulnerable situations.
The latest wave of repatriations involved 75 migrants from Libya, who arrived Monday at Ouagadougou International Airport aboard a charter flight arranged by IOM, in close collaboration with national authorities.
Upon disembarking, the returnees were welcomed by representatives of the government and IOM, marking the start of their reintegration process.
These 75 arrivals come in addition to 82 other Burkinabe who returned the previous week, including 66 from Algeria and 16 from Tunisia, benefiting from the same assistance mechanism.
In total, 157 migrants have returned to Burkina Faso from three transit and destination countries, illustrating the scale of migratory flows in the region.
Upon arrival, the returnees received temporary accommodation, as well as information and orientation sessions designed to facilitate their socio-economic reintegration.
This support includes psychosocial assistance, help with finding a job or creating income-generating activities, and in some cases, vocational training adapted to local market needs.
These returns fall under the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA), funded by the European Union and implemented by IOM in partnership with the Burkinabè government.
Launched in August 2022 with a budget of nearly 334 million euros, the program is deployed in 16 sub-Saharan African countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Senegal.
The MPRR-SSA aims to provide migrants who wish to return to their country with comprehensive assistance: from secure transport to post-return support, including support for sustainable reintegration.
According to IOM data, more than 5,077 migrants in irregular situations have benefited from voluntary return since January 1, 2026, bringing the total number of beneficiaries since the mechanism was created to 25,351.
In Burkina Faso, several government structures support this effort, including the National Employment Agency (ANPE) for job placement, the Informal Sector Support Fund (FASI) for microcredit and entrepreneurial training, and incubators to support project leaders.
This initiative reflects a humane and responsible approach to managing migratory flows, prioritizing voluntary and dignified return rather than forced expulsions. It also forms part of a broader strategy to protect migrants’ rights and stabilize communities of origin, in line with Burkina Faso’s international commitments on migration and development.
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