The two-day Liberal Political Dialogue Forum, held in Abidjan on July 15-16, 2026, brought together key voices to challenge conventional narratives around migration between Africa and Europe. Among the prominent figures leading the discussions were Sidi Touré, Vice-President of the Liberal International and Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries, and Alexandra Heldt, Regional Director for West Africa at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.
Migration as a question of freedom, not security
Sidi Touré opened the forum with a bold statement: « Migration is not a problem to be solved—it is a fundamental expression of human freedom. » He drew on United Nations data showing that migrants make up just 3.7% of the global population, emphasizing that “over 96% of people live out their lives in their country of birth. The world is not overwhelmed by migration—it is shaped by human movement.”
Highlighting the reality of African migration, he noted that 70% of all African migration occurs within the continent itself. As an example, he pointed to the daily flows of travelers through the Adjamé bus terminal in Abidjan. « This is not a crisis—it is life, » he declared. He also celebrated Côte d’Ivoire’s long-standing tradition of hospitality, encapsulated in the welcoming word *Akwaba*.
Preserving regional mobility amid political shifts
Touré expressed concern over recent political developments in the Sahel, particularly the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS. While acknowledging these tensions, he stressed that economic and social realities transcend political disagreements. « Regardless of political differences, the peoples remain brothers, the economies are intertwined, and the free movement of people is a shared heritage that must be protected, » he argued. He called for the forum’s outcomes to include actionable policy recommendations, to be compiled into a policy paper for decision-makers.
Rejecting xenophobia in policy and rhetoric
Alexandra Heldt, for her part, condemned the rise of xenophobic rhetoric both in Africa and Europe. She recalled the wave of anti-migrant violence that erupted in South Africa in 2008, warning that “no nation can build a prosperous future by blaming migrants for its economic challenges.”
She also drew attention to the paradox in Europe, where labor shortages coexist with growing hostility toward immigration. « Migration is not a threat—it is a bridge, » she said. « It fosters exchange, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It connects people far more than it divides them. »
A call for balanced partnership based on trust
Heldt advocated for an Africa-Europe partnership rooted in “shared responsibility, mobility, and the values of liberty.” She urged leaders to shift the conversation from fear to trust, from exclusion to cooperation. « Let us talk less about walls and more about bridges, » she concluded.
Echoing her remarks, Sidi Touré affirmed that « hospitality is not a sign of weakness—it is a source of strength and smart policy. » He reaffirmed his commitment to positioning migration as a driver of shared development across borders.
The forum continued with expert panels exploring the legal, geopolitical, and human dimensions of migration, shaping a forward-looking agenda for policymakers.