SAMIN Participation at FORUM SOCIAL OUEST AFRICAIN (FSOA) in Senegal:

Dakar, Senegal | June 26–28, 2025

In a time marked by regional insecurity, economic volatility, and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2025 Forum Social Ouest Africain (FSOA) offered a much-needed platform for collaboration, reflection, and action. Held in Dakar, Senegal, this year’s forum focused on the theme:

Among the many participants was SAMIN (Southern African Migration Network), represented by Basetsane Mosia, who joined the gathering as part of a strategic partnership with ANPM (Association Nationale Des Partenaires Migrants). The collaboration reflected SAMIN’s commitment to fostering cross-regional solidarity and sharing innovative solutions for sustainable development and migration governance.

A Forum Born of Urgency

The FSOA convened amid an escalating geopolitical crisis in Africa—particularly in the Sahel—where coups, constitutional instability, and resource exploitation have destabilized communities. The forum acknowledged the pandemic’s lingering economic impact, growing migration pressures, and the role of youth disillusionment in undermining development efforts across the continent.

By assembling civil society actors, unions, local authorities, parliamentarians, and regional organizations, FSOA sought to bridge divides and foster a participatory environment where real solutions could emerge.

Key Objectives of FSOA 2025

The three-day forum aimed to:

Promote good governance of natural and communal resources at all levels.
Strengthen citizen and parliamentary oversight of public budgets.
Explore strategies to ensure accountability in a landscape challenged by conflict and insecurity.

Through self-organized panels, workshops, and interactive discussions, FSOA became a space for shared learning and regional strategizing.

Workshop Themes: From Oceans to Parliament Floors

Participants engaged in thematic sessions that addressed the region’s most pressing issues:

Maritime Economy & Irregular Migration: Exploring the link between declining artisanal fishing, economic precarity, and migration patterns.
Water Governance: Debating fair and sustainable access to water in the face of climate pressure and privatization.
Land Rights & Agricultural Policy: Highlighting threats to land tenure from commercial exploitation and globalization.
Budgetary Control Mechanisms: Developing tools for transparency and citizen participation in public finance.
Youth and Women in Governance: Advocating for inclusive decision-making structures.

SAMIN’s Voice from the South

At a side event dedicated to Southern African experiences, SAMIN introduced its mission, history, and key programs to a broader audience of West African stakeholders. This was a key milestone in building regional recognition and trust.

During the closing plenary, SAMIN contributed a powerful reflection on:

The positive impacts of migration for both origin and host countries.
The necessity of protecting migrant rights, combating xenophobia, and addressing human trafficking.
Building inclusive societies that embrace diversity and human dignity.
Quantifying the economic contributions of migrants—from remittances to entrepreneurship and labour.

Outcomes and the Road Ahead

The forum ended with hopeful energy and a forward-looking spirit. Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Gadio, former Senegalese Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivered closing remarks that emphasized the urgent need for continued dialogue and regional cooperation.

Key takeaways included:

Stronger civil society-government-institution collaboration on migration and governance.
Shared understanding of common resource management across borders.
Policy recommendations for enhancing parliamentary budgetary control in fragile contexts.

Importantly, the event reinforced the importance of transnational solidarity to tackle Africa’s shared challenges.

Looking Forward: Cotonou 2026

The forum concluded with the announcement of the World Social Forum, to be held from August 4–8, 2026, in Cotonou, Benin. This will be the next crucial moment for movements like SAMIN to convene, advocate, and innovate.

Participation in FSOA 2025 has not only expanded SAMIN’s regional footprint but also deepened its strategic alliances and enriched its advocacy approaches.

In Reflection

SAMIN’s engagement in Senegal is more than just a meeting. It marks a growing movement for justice, sustainability, and human rights across Africa. By amplifying Southern African voices in regional spaces, SAMIN is actively shaping a future where migration is humane, governance is inclusive, and development is truly shared.

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Want to read the full document? Click below to download the official Benoni Declaration PDF.

👉 Download the Benoni Declaration (PDF)