MCG, 26 September 2017, EU Delegation, Khartoum
Minutes
Participants: UK, DE, Sweden, IT, Norway, Netherlands
1. MCG Mandate
It was agreed that the points suggested in July will be added to the MCG mandate (please find a
revised ToR with highlighted additions).
- To coordinate programmes in Sudan to ensure that the donor community is providing assistance in
the most effective way and thereby ameliorating duplication.
- To ensure that projects are complementary and link to the National Action Plan or other relevant
strategy.
- To act as the link between the technical aspects of irregular migration and the political
level. Providing a route for informing Heads of Missions of key issues.
- To provide analysis of issues on the ground and feedback findings to Brussels and Heads of
Missions.
- To communicate between the Government of Sudan, NGO’s, Home Governments and Brussels on
the priorities that need attention
2. HoMs meeting agenda for the 31st October (10.00-11.30, hosted by the EU). It was
concluded that some of the issue may need to be addressed at the political level in order to
achieve progress. A brief outline and suggested actions will be shared with the HoMs for
discussion and decision.
a. Update on establishment of the National Coordination Mechanism. Khartoum Process
thematic meeting on root causes of migration (22-23 Nov in Khartoum) could offer a
chance to advocate for creation of the NCM as a government counterpart, which
includes various line ministries. (MCG meeting with IOM was held on 5th Oct. IOM
requested support on advocacy with the GoS and presented various scenarios for the
establishment of NCM).
b. Migration Policy – linked to the creation of NCM, but a longer-term point.
c. Law harmonisation (UNHCR is working on the analysis Asylum law).
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d. Respect for non-refoulement and due process for asylum seekers (UNHCR had additional
exchanges on deportation with CoR, CoR seems to defend the decision with very
legalistic argumentation).
e. Co-chairs rotation
3. Deportations
A summary of EU meeting with UNHCR was shared.
4. Matrix
Partially populated new matrix was shared. MCG will strive to complete the matrix for the HoMs
meeting. Any additional contribution should be shared with the chairs.
5. Co-chairs rotation.
ND and CH expressed interest. UK (current co-chair) confirmed its availability to continue. Decision
will be announced during the HoMs meeting.
6. Updates
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DE informed about the case of one Eritrean citizen accepted by Eritrea from DE.
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UK: During the dialogue with the GoS in London on 16 October, NCM should be
mentioned (UK will share the summary of discussion during the next MCG)
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NL: Informed about the co-funded NL-EU on-going research on migration. Preliminary
findings should be available on 5/6 November (NL/EU will organise a meeting with
researchers).
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Norway informed about the upcoming seminar (1-2.10) with session on borders and
border communities.
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Sweden announced the Ambassador will attend the Khartoum Process meeting, on 22-
23 November.
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UK DFID informed about on-going programming exercise which includes IOM
(continuation of the DTM and direct assistance through MRC), discussions with
IOM/UNHCR/GIZ/UNODC and plans to work on the issue of Modern Slavery/Anti-
trafficking.
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EU informed about three Action Documents prepared for the November Operational
Committee (Protection along the routes, and two on Value Chain in Darfur and in the
East) – documents have been circulated in the Heads of Cooperation Group. In addition
EU shared information on recent returns to Sudan, assisted by IOM and the Sudanese
business passports.
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