When SVT visits the desert city of Agadez in Niger, convoys of migrants depart. The United Nations Organization for Migration, IOM, has seen a dramatic increase since the ban was lifted at the end of November last year. Migrants seeking Algeria have increased by 34 percent and those taking the route to Libya have increased by 93 percent.
Unpopular agreement
The agreement with the EU was concluded in 2015 and has been unpopular in several parts of Niger. Many earn their living from the migrants and they lost their income when migration was banned.
But organizations on the ground say that most people traveling across the Sahara do not want to try to get to Europe. And that is why the ban has been unpopular.
– The majority we see are people who want to work in, for example, mines in Algeria and Libya, says Azizou Chebou from the organization Alarme Phone Sahara, which specializes in helping migrants in need.
But it is difficult to give exact figures because not everyone wants to show identity documents, nor do they always want to tell organizations investigating migrant flows where they are going. But the migration from Africa is predicted to increase in the future.
After the ban was lifted, weekly convoys are organized from Agadez.
– The convoys have made travel across the Sahara safer, says Azizou Chebou from Alarme Phone Sahara.
Increased migration going forward
Ali, who arranges trips for migrants, says people from West Africa do not yet fully trust the authorities in Niger. But he believes that migration towards Europe will gradually increase.
– Even with military escorts, large bribes are demanded from the migrants at the roadblocks. But many are willing to pay to try to reach a better life in Europe, says Ali.