As part of the migration return and reintegration mechanism, 119 Ivorian nationals including 79 men, 18 women and 22 minors arrived from Libya and were received by Adama Dosso, Minister Delegate in charge of African Integration and Ivorians Abroad.

The group was welcomed on the afternoon of Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Terminal 2 of Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan.

The new group returned to Côte d’Ivoire under a mechanism implemented by the Ivorian government with the support of its technical and financial partners, notably the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU).

By welcoming the 119 returnees, the minister said the government was reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that no Ivorian in distress abroad is left without assistance, while strengthening mechanisms designed to turn return into a genuine opportunity for personal, social and professional rebuilding.

According to Adama Dosso, more than 4,000 Ivorian nationals have already returned to the country since the beginning of 2026 after experiencing difficult migration journeys.

Just two days before the arrival of the group from Libya, another group of 146 Ivorians had returned from Niger.

Beyond their physical return to Côte d’Ivoire, the programme places strong emphasis on the sustainable reintegration of migrants. Upon arrival, returnees undergo profiling to identify their needs and refer them to appropriate support mechanisms, including professional training, vocational skills development and assistance with reintegration.

The policy also responds to the human tragedies associated with irregular migration. Some people attempting to migrate face extremely difficult conditions along their journeys, including exploitation, detention and violence, and in some cases, loss of life.