Mali has officially welcomed Dr. Boubacar Seydou, a Nigerien national, as the new Chief of Mission and Representative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Dr. Seydou presented his credentials to Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, during a formal meeting in Bamako.
This marks a new chapter in the ongoing collaboration between IOM and the Malian government as they navigate a rapidly changing regional landscape.
The discussions between Dr. Seydou and Minister Diop focused on key issues, particularly the role of the Malian diaspora in driving socio-economic development.
Both leaders highlighted the importance of effectively managing migration flows and protecting internally displaced persons (IDPs), especially as the region faces evolving geopolitical challenges, including those associated with the Confederation of Sahel States.
Dr. Seydou succeeds Pascal Reyntjens, who played a pivotal role in developing and implementing key reintegration projects for returning migrants.
Under Reyntjens’ leadership, IOM successfully launched programs such as the EU-funded Protection, Return, and Reintegration of Migrants Program (MPRR), which provided durable solutions for returnees while strengthening Mali’s institutional capacity in migration management.
He also oversaw the establishment of the National Framework for the Reintegration of Migrants (CNRM), which coordinated efforts to reintegrate Malians returning home.
Additionally, Reyntjens helped support critical reception centers, such as the one in Agadez, that housed hundreds of Malians awaiting reintegration.
Since its establishment in 1998, IOM in Mali has been dedicated to addressing the humanitarian needs of vulnerable populations, including international migrants and IDPs.
Following the 2012 crisis, IOM’s activities intensified, with a focus on protection, internal displacement monitoring, and community stabilization.
Today, with over 100 staff and offices in strategic locations such as Mopti, Gao, and Timbuktu, IOM remains a crucial partner for the Malian government.
Beyond facilitating the repatriation of thousands of Malians wishing to return home, IOM’s initiatives extend to providing shelter, healthcare, potable water, and reintegration programs for returnees.
Prior to his appointment in Mali, Dr. Seydou held a similar position in Cameroon, where he led efforts in migrant protection and reintegration into local communities.
Under his leadership, IOM in Mali is expected to continue tackling the challenges posed by internal displacement while adapting migration management strategies to the complex realities of the Sahel region.
Dr. Seydou will also aim to engage Mali’s diaspora, a key player in the country’s socio-economic development.
