Men return from Libya on the way back to their countries of origin, in Agadez, Niger, Dec. 18, 2023. The country’s government, friendly to Europe, outlawed migration out of Agadez, and in exchange the European Union poured hundreds of millions of dollars into Niger’s coffers and the local economy. Agadez essentially turned into a border post for the European Union, thousands of miles from European shores. The European Union also promised to help those making a living from the migration business in the Agadez region find new jobs. From Agadez, the U.N. migration agency repatriates them to their countries of origin with the financial help of the European Union.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 24, 2024 12:49 UTC