Tens of thousands of Africans have returned to their home countries through the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) voluntary return programme, funded by the European Union to deter migration before reaching Europe. The programme covers return flights and promises follow-up assistance.
But many returnees say the support has fallen short. Twenty-year-old Kabinet Kante, who dreamed of playing professional soccer in Europe, described a treacherous journey through Mali, Algeria, and Tunisia. After an attempted Mediterranean crossing, he was arrested and stranded in the desert before being repatriated to Guinea in July.
“I feel abandoned,” Kante said. “I just want to make a living, but finding decent work here is nearly impossible. My mental health has suffered, and IOM hasn’t given the support they promised.” He has turned to TikTok to share his experience and connect with others in similar situations.
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Oumar Bella Diallo, 24, recounted his own ordeal traveling through the Sahara to Algeria, where he was beaten, breaking his finger and leg. Without proper papers, he could not access medical care, leaving him with a permanently injured leg.
Returning to Guinea, he hoped for medical and financial support from IOM, but says he was told assistance was not available. Like many others, he struggles to earn a living, with informal work paying as little as $50 a month.
Elhadj Mohamed Diallo, director of the Guinean Organisation for the Fight against Irregular Migration, noted that while some returnees manage to reintegrate successfully, many face steep challenges. “We aren’t helping them so that they can stay.
We are helping them so they can take control of their lives again,” he said.
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IOM reports that over 90,000 voluntary returnees have started the reintegration process, and 60,000 have completed it. The programme is designed to provide housing, medical care, psychosocial services, business grants, vocational training, and job placement, though many returnees interviewed say they have yet to receive these benefits.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.