26.06.2023. The IOM African Capacity Building Centre (ACBC), in partnership with the Kingdom of the Netherlands Ministry of Justice and Security, the Repatriation Services (R&DS), is conducting a Training-of-Trainers (ToT) on Document Examination for Immigration Officials from the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The training is aimed at equipping officials with knowledge and skills to detect document fraud while facilitating trade and human mobility in support of the African Union’s Free Movement Protocol and African Continent Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). The training is being undertaken under the auspices of the regional project, “Enhancing Migration Management of African States through Capacity Building on Integrated Border Management and Countering Irregular Migration (EMMAS) with funding support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Mr Jonathan Martens, the ACBC Senior Trainer and Manager welcomed on behalf of IOM all participants and facilitators to the ACBC and to the Kilimanjaro Region of the United Republic of Tanzania. He proceeded to introduce the ACBC as a response to a specific request by IOM’s African Member States in 2009 for further capacity development support in migration management. He noted that the Centre had facilitated training and other capacity development initiatives for more than 8,000 government officials in all 54 of IOM’s African Member States since 2009, adding that the Centre has maintained its traditional focus on border management themes, including document security, while also responding to Member State requests for capacity development in international law and human rights protection, maritime security and rescue at sea, labour migration, and health. Mr. Martens concluded by introducing the ACBC team, thanking R&DS for its partnership and generous support to the event, and reiterated his welcome and offered best wishes to participants for a successful ToT.
In his opening remarks, Mr Jan Willem Konig representing the General Director of the Repatriation and Departure Service said, “ the training is a demonstration of how the R&DS values cooperation with its counterpart, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo in strengthening cooperation between the two member states on migration governance and management”. He further underscored the value, R&DS attaches to partnership with the ACBC as it executes its mandate of capacitating its AU member states on migration management”, among others. Besides the cooperation with the ACBC, Mr Jan Willem Konig said he was very happy with the participation of the Dutch Immigration Liaison Office, based in Ghana, as one of the trainers during the ToT
The Head of Delegation for the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo officials participating at the training, Mr. Gideon Santini, expressed appreciation for the invitation that was extended to the DGM for a select fifth cohort of Immigration Officials to be ToTed on document examination at the ACBC following their initial training by R&DS in Kinshasa. He further highlighted the value the Government of the DRC attaches to the ToT which will further equip officials with knowledge and skills on detecting documents fraud to secure the documents and the nation’s borders.
The Training is expected to be followed by step down trainings as trained trainers will be rolling out the trainings to their peers upon return in DRC.
For more information on ACBC Immigration and Border Governance issues contact Mpilo Nkomo on +255 (0) 785 736 072 or E-mail: mnkomo@iom.int