The African Union, a coalition of 55 countries headed by Egypt, is hoping to persuade its coastal states from cooperating with the EU’s migration plans, according to a “common African position paper”. So-called “regional disembarkation platform”, which were proposed by EU leaders last summer, and allow migrants found in European water have their asylum requests processed on African soil, are the focus of African Union complaints. The coalition’s report claims that the “de facto detention centres” set up by Brussels on African territory would break break international law.
A number of northern states, including Morocco, have already rejected the EU proposals but the African Union is concerned its other members could buckle under pressure from offers of development funds.
The leaked AU report insists that Brussels has yet to reveal the full details of its “regional disembarkation platforms”.
“The establishment of disembarkation platforms on the African Continent for the processing of the asylum claims of Africans seeking international protection in Europe would contravene international law, EU law and the legal instruments of the AU with regard to refugees and displaced persons,” the document reads.
“The setup of ‘disembarkation platforms’ would be tantamount to de facto ‘detention centres’ where the fundamental rights of African migrants will be violated and the principle of solitary among AU member states greatly undermined.
“The collection of biometric data of citizens of AU members by international organisations violates the sovereignty of African Countries over their citizens.”
The paper adds: “The AU views the decision by the EU to support the ‘regional disembarkation platforms’ in Africa and ongoing bilateral consultation with AU member states, without the involvement of the AU and its relevant institutions, as undermining the significant progress achieved in the partnership of frameworks and dialogues between our two unions.”
The EU has already established a similar arrangement with Libya, where there are around 800,000 migrants, of which 20,000 are held in government detention centres.
Matteo Salvini, Italy’s right-wing deputy prime minister, has called for platforms to be established in Chad, Mali and Sudan.
Last July, the European Commission fleshed out plans for the “disembarkation and controlled centres”.
A statement said: “Regional disembarkation arrangements should be seen as working in concert with the development of controlled centres in the EU: together, both concepts should help ensure a truly shared regional responsibility in responding to complex migration challenges.”
Dimitris Avrampoulos, the European commissioner responsible for migration, said: “Now more than ever we need common, European solutions on migration.
“We are ready to support member states and third countries in better cooperating on disembarkation of those rescued at sea.
“But for this to work immediately on the ground, we need to be united – not just now, but also in the long run. We need to work towards sustainable solutions.”
Express.co.uk has contacted the European Commission for comment on the AU report.