Auditors: EU Fails to Deter African Migrants Despite Billions Spent

BRUSSELS — The European Union’s inadequacies in managing migration from Africa have come under scrutiny, according to the EU’s financial watchdog. A report issued by the European Court of Auditors critiques the bloc’s current strategies, particularly its Emergency Trust Fund for Africa.

This multi-billion-euro fund was established in 2015 following a significant influx of more than 1 million migrants into Europe, many of whom were fleeing conflict, notably from Syria. The initial allocation of 1.8 billion euros (approximately $2 billion) for various projects has ballooned to about 5 billion euros (around $5.6 billion) today.

Designed to address the underlying issues driving migration—such as poverty, conflict, and unemployment—the fund is under the management of the European Commission, the EU’s executive branch.

Lead auditor Bettina Jakobsen expressed concerns that the Commission has yet to identify the most effective methods to deter unauthorized migration. She emphasized the need for a more targeted approach, focusing aid on urgent requirements in specific regions and countries.

Additionally, the report highlighted significant shortcomings in how human rights risks were managed. Jakobsen pointed out that the Commission did not adequately address these risks and lacked sufficient procedures for documenting and following up on allegations of human rights abuses.

Evidence was presented showing that at least ten officers reported potential human rights violations in Libya, a major departure point for migrants attempting to reach Europe by crossing the Mediterranean Sea. Yet, the Commission had documentation of only one allegation, and the auditors could not confirm if that instance received any follow-up investigation.

Concerns are further amplified by a U.N. investigator’s claims suggesting that EU support to Libya’s migration department and coast guard may have contributed to human rights violations, including crimes against humanity. The Commission has rejected these assertions.

The auditors also raised alarms regarding how EU resources aimed at enhancing maritime surveillance and reducing migrant deaths at sea were utilized. According to the International Organization for Migration, around 30,000 individuals have died or disappeared while attempting to cross the Mediterranean since 2014.

Moreover, the report indicated that EU-funded equipment could be misused by unauthorized actors. There were concerns that Libyan staff, trained by European nations, might not adhere to the principle of non-harm. Some recipients of these funds might also restrict access to oversight bodies meant to monitor how the money is used.

During a site visit in December to a maritime rescue coordination center along the Libyan coast, auditors discovered that Italy, assigned in 2017 to assist with its establishment, had allocated millions of euros for the initiative. However, seven years later, the center remains non-operational.

International maritime safety regulations, recognized and accepted by the EU, stipulate that Libya must maintain such a center, staffed at all times. Meanwhile, Italy has largely taken charge of emergency responses within Libyan waters.

In response to the findings, the Commission generally accepted the report’s recommendations and acknowledged a need for improvements. It recognized the necessity of enhancing its capacity to identify and address risks, particularly by outlining specific activities or output indicators in sectors at high risk for human rights violations. The Commission plans to accomplish this by providing more comprehensive guidelines and training materials.

The Commission noted that as of the previous year, the Emergency Trust Fund had enabled the voluntary return of 73,215 migrants to their home countries. In the first half of 2023, it reported the creation or support of 11,087 jobs, primarily in Guinea and Senegal, alongside skills training for 23,266 individuals.