Cooperation in the fight against criminal networks in Mali

This project is the result of a call by Mali to the European Union to respond to a shared concern such as the combating of illegal migration and human trafficking. This will also address the dire consequences suffered by countries where illegal migration occurs, whether in departure, transit or arrival. 

The POC is a project funded by the European Union’s Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, which is managed by CIVIPOL and the FIIAPP. Its main objective is to contribute to the fight against criminal networks dealing in irregular migration, migrant smuggling and human trafficking in Mali. To do this, specialists from the French and Spanish police will assist Mali over a two-year period in the fight against this phenomenon. 

This action will mainly benefit vulnerable migrants, especially women and children, as well as victims of smuggling and trafficking in human beings, and ultimately the local population and communities of regions where there is increased migration in Mali. 

Its implementation seeks to reinforce the human, material and operational capacities of the Brigade for the Suppression of Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Human Beings (BRTMTEH) of the Malian National Police. 

The ambassador of the European Union delegation to Mali, Bart Ouvry, stressed the importance of the project and that its objectives are expected to be achieved. For his part, the representative of the Malian government stressed that security at the country’s borders has many shortfalls in terms of fighting terrorism, migration and in the fight against human trafficking and that this project will help improve it.