GENEVA — A comprehensive report by United Nations organizations and the Mixed Migration Center has identified Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Guinea as the principal sources of African migrants heading to Europe. The study sheds light on the complex interplay of factors driving migration, including terrorism and political instability in regions like Sudan, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the perilous journey to Europe through the Sahara Desert has resulted in an estimated 1,180 deaths from January 2020 to May 2024, a figure that is likely understated given the challenging conditions on the ground. The report further details the severe risks faced by migrants, including kidnapping, sexual violence, and death, underscoring the dangerous conditions of land migration routes to Europe.