Mapping Children on the Move within Africa ‘geopolitical structure’ such as the nation or free trade zones.358 Movement of people in the West and Central Africa follows the ancient trade routes stretching from Ndjamena to Timbuktu with the routes paving the way for the flow of goods, dreams and hopes.359 Notably, RMMS also points out that when passing through Mali, migrants travel via Bamako to Timbuktu or Gao then either proceed to Algeria or Niger then to Libya.360 However, because of insecurity in Mali migrants presently prefer reaching Libya or Algeria through Niger instead on Northern Mali.361 This change in routes makes Burkina Faso and in particular Ouagadougou the epicenter of various converging routes hence bringing together people from the ‘western and Southern-central regions.362 It is estimated that each year 12 million people cross borders in West and Central Africa.363 The vast majority of these people (75 per cent) move within Africa either for economic opportunities or fleeing from conflicts.364 Among these people is also a significant fraction of children either moving in the company of their families or unaccompanied. It is worth noting that movements across the region occurs both towards the North and towards the South. There is fluidity within the region in terms of flows. While some people are moving North a large number is also moving South. Movement – both voluntary and involuntary – towards the South, also involving children, is largely related to returnees – assisted or otherwise(e.g. from Algeria to Niger and Mali, from Libya to Niger or from Nigeria to Mali). In general terms, movement routes have barely changed in the last 10 years. A 2008 study by IOM noted that towns such as Arlit, Niamey, Zinder and Agadez were as key then as they are today and so are others such as Gao, Tamanrasset, Sabha, etc.365 The most reliable recent data available with respect to the movement of children along these routes captures mainly movements across Niger which serves as a hub for the CMR. In this respect, the number of children transiting via Niger has increased from 2016 to 2017. The total recorded number of children under 18 interviewed at the IOM migrant transit centers in Niger was 5% in 2016 and increased to 8% in 2017. Originating from Gambia, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Mali, Guinea Bissau, Cameroon and Guinee, 60% of these children indicated that they were not accompanied. Forty per cent of children indicated that their presence in Niger followed a stay in Algeria while others have been residing in Niger awaiting the next step of their journey. Only few had spent time in Libya.366 This indicates that children move in both directions between the Nigerien and Algerian and Libyan borders. A 2008 study identified the following key routes within Algeria once people cross from Niger or Mali: In Guezzam-Tamanrasset-Ghardaia, Tamanrasset-Djanet, Bordj Badji Mokhtar-Adrar, and Tinzaouatine-Tamanrasset.367 Children also travel further north, mainly with their families, 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 UNICEF (n 166 above) p2. As above. RMMS (n 272 above) 25. As above. As above. UNICEF (n 166 above) p2. As above. IOM. 2008. Migration irrégulière d’Afrique Occidentale en Afrique du Nord et en Union Européenne: Une vue d’ensemble des tendances générales. https://publications.iom.int/fr/books/mrs-ndeg32migration-irreguliere-dafrique-occidentale-en-afrique-du-nord-et-en-union-0 Last accessed: 7 June 2018 IOM. 2017. Niger: Rapport de profilage des migrants 2016. P16 https://gmdac.iom.int/sites/default/files/ OIM%20Niger%202016%20Rapport%20de%20Profilage%20%28Francais%29.pdf Last accessed: 7 June 2018 Bensaâd A. (2008), Les migrations sub-sahariennes en Algérie, Institut Universitaire Européen, Union européenne, CARIM rapport de recherche 2008/01, p.1 http://cadmus.eui.eu/handle/1814/7873 Last accessed: 7 June 2018 65