EU border control and externalization is nothing but  racism and neocolonialism in  21st century- Doctor CHEHOU Azizou

Doctor CHEHOU Azizou is the founder of the local Non-Governmental Organization “Jeunesse Nigérienne au Service du Développement Durable JNSDD AIKIN KASA” that implements several projects since 2015. As Executive Secretary, he’s the head of the organization and play the role of coordinating the various projects implemented on behalf of JNSDD AIKIN KASA. While noting  that the main domain of JNSDD AIKIN KASA interventions is migration and freedom of movement, Dr Azizou, in this interview with voiceforafricanmigrants.org, decried the EU border externalization policy, describing it as racism and neocolonialism in the 21^st century. Excerpts:

How did you get into migration issues?

I am a migration actor due to certain reasons. I was born and grew up in one of Sahel village in the center of Niger Republic. In my village, migration plays an important role in the life of people. There is no single compound in that village without at least one migrant working abroad to support the family. And that has been going on for several years. Now my home village has been developed as results of migration. I have not been interested to migrate myself. But my forefathers, father, uncles, brothers and cousins were migrants. I had the chance to be educated and graduated. As a civil servant in Agadez region, I realized how my fellows suffer on migration routes from different human rights violations. I decided to take actions assisting them to complain when they are offended. My teacher’s union engagement background had been a deep source of inspiration for me. At the very beginning I used to help young people in self-organization to defend their rights. Then I started writing articles in a local newspaper known as Aïr Info for ten years. In that media I occupied the position of chief editor some years after. My media motivation led me to hold radio shows for mass education. After running a program in United States of America during the year 2014, I founded JNSDD AIKIN KASA to defend human rights in general and freedom of movement particularly.   

Tell us about Alarm Phone Sahara. What led to its establishment?

Alarm Phone Sahara or APS is a transnational network inspired by African and European activists who were active against Africans deportations from Europe years before 2016. Mediterranean shipwrecks drew the “Afrique-Europe-Interact” and other organizations to initiate “Alarm Phone Watch The Med” to sensitize western opinion about deaths as a result of European Union policy to protect Europe borders. But, it was then noticed that few things are known about Sahara desert crossing from West African countries to the Maghreb ones until the Mediterranean Sea. After at least two years discussions and debates, Alarm Phone Sahara or APS was then decided as another sister project to sensitize, document and rescue people crossing the desert or in distress on the multiple routes.

How will you say the organization has done since inception?

JNSDD and APS have similar aims because the moto of APS network that JNSDD implements as a dynamic initiative is “Right to go, Right to stay!” Our assistance does not encourage nor discourage migration. We want it to be humanistic since movement of human beings on earth is a universal right. But we don’t want to register a single case of death. Because, a migrant who dies during a trip is a loss not from the person, but for the family, the community, the country, the continent and consequently for the world. From 2016 to now important results are reached because of the hard work teams are doing to protect people from death, disappearance, injuries stress and trauma. But, the humanitarian assistance work is very demanding. Despite all its requirements somebody ought to do it because it is saving.

What challenges does APS face in the course of doing its work?

At its very beginning APS dynamic was seen as encouraging irregular migration from Africa to Europe via Maghreb. It seems that countries political leaders don’t investigate the deep reasons why citizens flee their homes. There are many challenges that cause migration. Instead of stopping people from escaping dangers, the best attitude might be how to tackle and stop the thread. The use of land routes is found worth it by people on move since the visa regime is tough. The world geopolitics is let’s say rude when the interest of poor people has to be taken in consideration.

Do you have antagonisms from the government or international bodies because of your work?

We used to face antagonism from many sides. But our lobbying work and data collection shown as evidence have changed narratives. At the moment governments or international bodies that hate our actions appreciate it more and more. We are approached to share our experiences in high level discussions and forums. Film makers, journalist and university or institute researchers, institutions and foundations appreciate our work and value it. We participate in clusters discussions. We amplify our voice at parliaments. And we initiate new forms of participation through regional networks such ROA-PRODMAC. We get closer to the vulnerable people and engage in family reunification. We organize burials of migrants that starve on migration trajectories at the time when others install traps to harm survivals. We protect children, women and elder people by referring them to appropriate services for accommodations.

Tell us about your experience working with migrants all these years.

For a decade, we have been involving to raise the voice of voiceless people. The work is embarrassing for sure. We receive threats from all sides. From those who believe in fake news sent on social media as well from other parts of decision centers. It is necessary to differentiate sources of information. We are particular because we are on the field that majority of observers don’t really know. We have deployed teams of volunteers acting as fire fighters. Days and nights we receive calls of distress from very far in the Sahara desert. We defeat the weather and the space to meet widows, orphan children, and disabled, old people victims of sexual harassment, rapes, knocks, whacks or hits. But our motivation does weaken. We don’t dare hold back though we lack resources. Our conviction is our faith to help. A day or another we are confident that those who remain reluctant in our work will valorize it.    

What is the situation in Agadez as we speak?

At the time being, there are thousands of people on move who are stranded in Agadez. They still have hope that the current situation will change. Desperate people are waiting to return back home after they experienced nightmares. Disabled and injured ones receive assistance from our courageous ground teams. In fact, there are families who won’t see their dearest because they are buried somewhere in the desert or drown after shipwrecks. The dilemma is those families still keep faith that one day they will meet their loved ones. It is an opportunity to congratulate Niger population and authorities in general and particularly Agadez local communities because of their resilience despite all the challenges they face. They develop strongly the solidarity with people on move. The general social context doesn’t spare any person. But they share love with victims of racism and pray for better future conditions that African continent lives.  

Assamaka has turned a dumping ground for North Africans deporting black Africans. What is your take on this?

In the middle of the Sahara desert, Assamaka has turned a dumping ground for North Africans deporting black Africans. My point of view is that of sorrow for those young men and women victims of border externalization with complicity of some of the African leaders who think that their country localization withdraws them from being member of the continent on behalf of their skin color. They play the worst role in the history. If my voice could be heard in all West African countries, my appeal is to ask their leaders to visit the ground and witness the atrocity in which their citizens are because of the way they rule the countries. At the opposite of the western leaders who organize charter flights to carry their citizens in case of insecurity or crisis, Africans feel proud to blame theirs. They have in mind that no human being is intended to live home and properties if there is well-fare.

Paint a vivid picture of the migrants you come across in both Agadez and Assamaka every time. What do they look like?

Migrants we come across in both Agadez and Assamaka every time show pity and despair. Their faces show the image of being born stateless. They need shelter, clothing and health care. They are stressed and traumatized. Because of the bad physical and psychological treatment they experienced, they often prefer death to life. Before departing from their countries of origin, they thought they have backed the right horse. Unfortunately they have lost their bet and returning back home empty hand is highly risky.  

What is the average number of people dumped in Assamaka on a daily basis?

On a daily basis the average number of people dumped in Assamaka is 1,000.

Do you have a situation where the migrants die? What is the death rate?

Of course we have situation where migrants die. Reports from various sources are shared. As ground actors we don’t consider word of mouth reports. Only cases that our teams witness are taken into consideration. Thus, we registered around 50 migrants that died in 2025.

For vulnerable group like pregnant women, do they have access to ante-natal care? Pregnant women have access to ante-natal care in places where there are health commodities. Also, what is the condition of children in both Agadez and Assamaka? Do they have access to basic education and healthcare?

Niger law allows migrant children to have basic education and healthcare for free. But the fact that migrants don’t last too long at the same places reduces the chance of children from this right. Another challenge is related to the language used by teachers in schools as Niger is a francophone country. Above all these, some children become beggars because mothers don’t have incomes.  

What type of sickness is common in both Agadez and Assamaka among the migrants?

The common diseases among the migrants in both Agadez and Assamaka are dermatosis, stomachache, malaria, diarrhea, toothache and earache.

Do you have the feeling that African Union is aloof in what is happening to black African migrants in North Africa?

Not me only! But lots of people have the feeling that African Union is aloof to black African migrants in North Africa. Otherwise, the deportation processes would have ended and black Africans would have been better integrated in North African countries. See what is going in Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Morocco. We cannot talk about African Union when we observe how migrants are treated there. 

Let’s talk about EU border control and externalization. What is your view about this?

EU border control and externalization is nothing apart racism and neocolonialism going on during this 21^st century. EU leaders still think that Africa continent is their protectorate. And the disappointing thing is that African leaders continue to accept being dominated by the so-called super-powerful nations. Thanks to the new generations the situation is being reversed.

Share an unforgettable experience you had attending to migrants.

There are plenty of unforgettable experiences witnessed in my humanitarian work. But I will share one of a lady migrant engaged in sex work. She unfortunately had a broken leg during an accident and had to feed a baby. As she had no other alternative to earn money, she had to prostitute with the uncured broken leg to earn money, eat feed her new born baby. What a disaster! 

General comment about migration in Africa

Migration is a transnational and universal phenomenon. Apart from the legs provided to a human being since birth to move, transportations means for instance animals are offered to people to be ride from a place to another. Then with techniques progress, faster transportation means are provided from the bicycle to the train and plane only for the use of the people. In other continents people move freely. It is only in African continent that even the circular migration is restricted depriving parents, brothers, relatives and siblings to visit each other. It is time for Africans to re-appropriate their destiny. The management of the migration flux must include the Road Based Approach (RBA) to break the chains that tie the Africans from laying on their rights.

The brown color that covers African sky will become completely blue thanks to the pan Africanism in action.