Abidjan – The internationally renowned Ivorian music group Magic System through its foundation, is joining forces with the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) to together raise awareness on the risks of irregular migration and promote alternatives for the Ivorian youth. The partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding this week (20/02).

“Awareness-raising is one of IOM top priorities. We know that music has always been a good channel to reach out to the youth. Key messages must come from young Ivorians themselves and partnering with Magic System today is showing this ownership,” said Marina Schramm, Chief of Mission for IOM Côte d’Ivoire. “Our objective is to pool our efforts to raise awareness on the risks of irregular migration and promote positive alternatives,” she added.

After a successful collaboration during one of the most popular music festivals in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2018, le Festival des Musiques Urbaines d’Anoumabo (FEMUA) organized under the theme « African youth and irregular migration », the two organizations joined forces again to maximize the impact of their awareness activities.

Côte d’Ivoire, which is home to the highest number of migrants in the region with 2,2 million migrants, is also a country of departure for the Ivorian youth. According to the country's migration profile  (in French), Ivorians who migrate irregularly are less than 31 years old, come from urban areas and pay a great amount of money for their journey  (1.5 million and 2 million FCFA). 

"The FEMUA is certainly a good platform to sensitize the youth but we want our collaboration to go beyond that. We must work together towards the happiness of Ivorians," said A'Salfo, leader of the Magic System group and general commissioner of FEMUA. 

The signing of this agreement was followed by the launch of the Facebook contest « Racontez-nous la migration» (Tell us about migration) 2019 Edition. Young Ivorians over 18 and 35 can participate by submitting a dance, a song or a theatre play related to migration. The prize-winners will have the opportunity to perform at the 12th edition of FEMUA, which will be held 23-28 April 2019.   

These awareness raising activities took place under the EU-IOM Joint Initiative for the Protection and Reintegration of Migrants in Côte d'Ivoire, funded by the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa and implemented by IOM in partnership with the Government of Côte d'Ivoire.

For more information, please contact Marina Schramm at IOM Côte d’Ivoire, Email: mschramm@iom.int