Mali : Malians repatriated from Port-Bouet, Côte d’Ivoire

The recent repatriation operation of Malians from Port-Bouet, Côte d’Ivoire, is a significant step in safeguarding Malian citizens living abroad.

Faced with evictions and demolition of homes as part of Ivory Coast’s urbanization policy, the Malian government swiftly implemented measures to assist its nationals.

The first phase of repatriation involved 150 adults accompanied by 25 children and infants, followed by a second phase which included 182 adults and 58 children and infants.

In total, 415 Malians were voluntarily repatriated from Port-Bouet. This extensive operation was made possible through exemplary coordination between the Ministry for Malians Abroad and African Integration, the Malian Embassy, and Consulate General in Abidjan.

According to the Council of Ministers, a mission to assist and protect Malians abroad has been established, chaired by the Ministry for Malians Abroad and African Integration, working closely with Malian diplomatic missions in Côte d’Ivoire.

Their objective is to ensure the safety, protection, and well-being of Malian citizens affected by Ivory Coast’s urbanization policies.

These repatriation efforts come amidst a backdrop of evictions and demolition of informal settlements in Port-Bouet, following Ivory Coast’s urbanization initiatives.

These measures, aimed at modernizing urban infrastructure, unfortunately resulted in the destruction of numerous homes, leaving several families homeless.