Geneva: Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. (Police) Babiker Samra Mustafa, participated in the high-level Ministerial Roundtable Activities organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as part of the 116th Session of the IOM Council. The event was attended by ministers and high-level officials from various member states.
According to Sudan News Agency, the Minister expressed Sudan’s sincere appreciation to the IOM for its leadership role and for organizing this dialogue at a critical moment, affirming that the African continent today faces unprecedented complexities in the field of migration, linked to conflicts, humanitarian crises, and economic challenges that directly impact development and stability pathways.
He also reviewed the pioneering role played by Sudan before the outbreak of the proxy war imposed upon it, especially in the Khartoum Process, and its efforts in developing a regional approach to migration based on partnership and regular pathways, combating smuggling and human trafficking, supporting labor mobility, and enhancing cooperation within the frameworks and mechanisms of IGAD, COMESA, and the African Union. He affirmed that the proxy war carried out by the terrorist Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia in Sudan has disrupted these efforts and created the largest forced displacement crisis in the world today, a matter that necessitates the strengthening of regional and international solidarity to rebuild Sudan’s capacities and restore its leadership role at the continental level in combating irregular migration.
Furthermore, the Minister presented a comprehensive overview of the security and humanitarian challenges resulting from the war, including the increased risks of irregular migration, the expansion of smuggling and human trafficking networks, and rising protection needs, citing painful humanitarian incidents that reflect the magnitude of the tragedy faced by Sudanese citizens on migration routes.
He pointed to the significant efforts exerted by Sudan despite the difficult circumstances, including tightening border controls, dismantling smuggling networks, arresting and prosecuting perpetrators, rehabilitating shelters, and rebuilding databases after the systematic destruction inflicted on state institutions by the terrorist militia. He affirmed Sudan’s continued commitment to combating transnational organized crime.
The Minister concluded his intervention by emphasizing that restoring security and stability in Sudan is a fundamental prerequisite for addressing migration complexities in the region, and that Sudan is committed to working with the IOM, African countries, and international partners to promote safe and orderly migration, transforming it into a driving force for development and stability in the African continent.