Forced Migration in the OIC Member Countries:

Policy Framework Adopted by Host Countries

the region has increasingly come to serve as an important transit point and destination for

sub-Saharan forced and nonforced migrants. North African countries have consequently had

to grapple with their newfound status as migrant-receiving countries, while coming under

pressure from European countries to join regional agreements aimed at managing the mixed

flows.

Figure 4: Forced migrant populations in OIC countries in North Africa

Source: UNHCR, “Population Statistics”

Note: The international forced migrant population is calculated to be the number of refugees, people in refugee-like situations,

and asylum seekers residing in a country.

2.3.1.

Migration dynamics in North Africa

Migration in North Africa is highly complex due to its location at the crossroads of Africa, the

Middle East and Europe. Seen as a major path to reach the wealth and safety of Europe, the

journey for many forced and nonforced migrants through North Africa is nonlinear in nature.

North Africa continues to serve as a source of forced migration within the region, while its

roles as a region of transit and destination have become increasingly blurred.

North Africa as a source of forced and voluntary migrants

Emigration to Europe particularly increased after decolonization, and North Africa is seen as a

reserve of labor for European industry and agriculture.

This nonforced migration continues

today. Young North African men in search of greater economic opportunity often travel along

the same routes as asylum seekers and refugees and apply for humanitarian protection to

improve their chances of being allowed to remain in the West.

Susanne Schmid, “Migration Potential from North Africa to Europe,” accessed July 25, 2016, 1,

For example, there are reports that many young Moroccan men flew to Turkey (where a visa is not needed for entry) and

then travelled alongside the massive flows of asylum seekers travelling the Western Balkan Route. Some of these travelers

may also claim to be Syrian or Iraqi in hopes of achieving asylum. Sakina Abushi and Hicham Arroud, “A Migration Bubble?

Reading the New European Neighbourhood Policy in the Moroccan Context,”

Heinrich Böll Stiftung

, June 15, 2016, 3,