Antananarivo – IOM, the UN Migration Agency, together with the Ministry of Public Security of Madagascar, this week (21/02) held a half day high level session in the capital, to release the first National Border Management Assessment report.

Madagascar has 5,000 kilometres of coastline, a strategic position on the Mozambique Channel and lacks in capacity to control its extensive border effectively. These factors have led to the development and continuation of national and international crime.

Attending the event were officials from various ministries involved with border management, key public institutions, the United Nations and private sector representatives. Minister for Public Security, Mamy Andrianisa attended the event.

The Border Management Assessment aims to provide the Malagasy Government with a thorough picture of border management through its legal framework, administration and operations. The assessment also gives short, medium and long-term recommendations on how to improve border management (IBM) practices in Madagascar.

The adoption of a new IBM approach in 2017 was a turning point for Madagascar’s Security Sector Reform (SSR). This will allow Madagascar to develop the coordination among national actors involved in border management, to foster closer cooperation with the neighbouring states and to achieve borders that are profitable for tourism and for business.

“As the lead agency on migration, IOM is increasingly called upon by its Member States to provide technical expertise and capacity building on border and immigration management,” said Daniel Silva y Poveda, IOM Madagascar Chief of Mission, during the opening session. He further stated that IOM will continue supporting the Government of Madagascar’s efforts towards the implementation of its SSR strategy.

Minister Andrianisa called upon all stakeholders “to engage themselves to the highest level of cooperation to facilitate the legitimate movement of people and goods, while maintaining a high level of border security.”

This national assessment is part of the wider UN Peacebuilding Fund project, "Support to the Security Sector Reform in Madagascar (ARSSAM)”, which works to develop a new vision for national security by strengthening the skills and capabilities of defence and security forces. It additionally strives to improve confidence between security forces and the populations they serve.

For more information, please contact Daniel Silva y Poveda, IOM Madagascar, Tel: +261 32 56 54 954, Email: dsilva@iom.int