By African Media Association Malta, On 6 April 2019, Lassana Cisse Souleymane, a 42-year-old Ivorian father of two, was shot dead while walking home in Malta. Two other African men were shot and injured that same evening. Lassana did not know his attackers. He had done nothing to provoke them. When two soldiers from the Armed Forces of Malta were arrested weeks later, the country was confronted with the possibility that a man had been killed simply because he was Black. The

More than seven years after Ivorian national Lassana Cisse Souleymane was shot dead in Malta, a jury has acquitted former soldier Lorin Scicluna of his murder. The 29-year-old was also cleared of attempted murder charges involving three other African men, but found guilty of grievously injuring one of them and driving without registration plates. Lorin Scicluna (left) was acquitted of the murder of Lassana Cisse (right) by a jury on 1 November 2026. Former Armed Forces of Mal

From January 2027, third-country nationals without long-term resident status will lose access to free public transport and several other benefits, while foreign workers and employers face higher administrative charges. The measures have drawn criticism from migrant organisations, human rights NGOs and business representatives, while the government maintains that the changes are justified. In the 2027 Budget, new applicants who are TCNs without qualifying long-term resident st

Malta’s government is expected to introduce public transport charges for third-country nationals without long-term residency from 2027, according to Times of Malta. The proposal is expected to feature in the Budget being presented on Monday, 26 October. Different categories of Tallinja cards are available. Malta is reportedly considering ending free public transport for non-EU residents without long-term residency from 2027. Photo: Screenshot from Transport Malta’s official w

Seven years after the killing of Ivorian national Lassana Cisse, a jury in Malta is hearing evidence in the trial of a former soldier accused of his murder. The first week of proceedings has brought testimony from shooting survivors, forensic experts and witnesses, while the prosecution maintains that racial hatred motivated the attack. A memorial plaque in Triq Il-Gebel in Hal-Far honouring Lassana Cisse Souleymane, the 42-year-old Ivorian national who was shot dead in Malta

More than seven years after the killing of Ivorian national Lassana Cisse Souleymane, former Armed Forces of Malta soldier Lorin Scicluna has gone on trial, with prosecutors telling jurors that racial hatred was at the heart of the attacks. Lassana Cisse was shot dead in April 2019 while walking home. The alleged killer, an off-duty soldier with the Armed Forces of Malta at the time, is now standing trial. The trial by jury of Lorin Scicluna, 29, began in Malta on Monday, 19

Update - 2 September 2026 with additional information from Police. Nearly three months after eleven migrants died at sea east of Malta, police have confirmed that seven victims have now been positively identified through DNA analysis. Four Ethiopian victims were repatriated to Ethiopia, while three Somali victims were buried in Malta. DNA testing continues in an effort to identify three more of the eleven people who died. A brief religious ceremony was held at the Mater Dei H

A growing coalition of civil society organisations and business representatives has called on Parliament to postpone its final vote on Malta's proposed National Commission for Human Rights and Equality Bill, arguing that legislation of such constitutional importance should not be approved without meaningful public consultation. Malta Parliament House. Photo CC Pressure mounted on Wednesday after a coalition of 16 human rights organisations urged Equality Minister Rosianne Cut

Several weeks after the deaths of eleven people, several of whom are believed to have originated from Ethiopia and Somalia, their families continue to face a complex process to have their loved ones officially identified. Without DNA confirmation, some risk remaining anonymous even in death. Addolorata cemetery, Paola. Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 On 7 June, eleven migrants lost their lives at sea off Malta after their vessel s

They speak Maltese, celebrate village festas and cheer for Malta's national teams. Yet for some children growing up on the island, there is one thing they still do not have: a nationality. activists from Moviment Graffitti, Dance Beyong Borders and other groups presenting the "Ending Child Statelessness in Malta" white paper in Valletta on June 30th. Photo AMAM Michael was born in Malta nineteen years ago. He attended public and church schools, served as an abbati, played foo

Three recent events in the month of June in Malta serve as the starting point for a reflection on representation, belonging and the stories society chooses to tell. This podcast by Regine Nguini explores how migration is portrayed in public discourse through three recent developments: the racist attacks directed at former election candidate Omar Rababah; the latest shipwreck in the Mediterranean that claimed at least eleven lives, and the publication on social media of photo

For years, discussions about migrants, refugees and racialized communities in Europe have often followed a familiar pattern. They appear in headlines during crises, political disputes or security debates, yet rarely as experts, professionals or protagonists of their own stories. A new European campaign launching this month wants to challenge that pattern. A working session by the MILD Consortium during a partner meeting in Madrid in February 2026 Beginning on 15 June and runn

Series: The Root Causes of Migration Spain’s ongoing regularisation campaign is raising hopes among thousands of migrant workers employed in the country’s vast greenhouse industry. Many have spent years working without legal status, often enduring low wages, precarious housing, and limited access to basic services. By obtaining legal documentation, workers expect better pay, improved working conditions, and greater opportunities to participate fully in Spanish society. A mig

Series : The Root Causes of Migration At the Council of Europe’s annual meeting in Chișinău, Moldova, European ministers approved a new interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), aiming to give states more flexibility in managing migration and deportations. Although the declaration is not legally binding, it could strongly influence future court decisions regarding asylum, deportation, and family reunification policies across Europe. A picture showing

Series : The Root Causes of Migration In recent weeks, eastern Libya has seen a sharp rise in the discovery of migrant bodies, alongside an increase in departures along what is known as the “Tobruk route.” This trend highlights how migration flows toward Europe are increasingly shaped by shifting enforcement pressures and a growing, highly profitable smuggling economy. In an interview, researcher Tarek Lamloum argues that these deaths are not accidental but closely tied to a

Series : The Root Causes of Migration In Senegal, many families are struggling after relatives disappeared or died while trying to reach Europe by sea. In the coastal city of Mbour, migration is both common and taboo, which makes grief even more difficult for children and families left behind. Many do not know exactly what happened to their loved ones and receive very little information after the journeys end in tragedy. A Senegalese child looking at the sea (CC picture from

Series : The Root Causes of Migration In the UK, asylum claims based on sexual orientation or gender identity are designed to protect people fleeing persecution. However, a recent BBC undercover investigation has raised concerns about abuse of this system and its potential consequences. A picture showing a person of colour holding an LGBTQ+ ribbon (CC picture from Pexels) It reveals an underground market of unregulated law firms, lawyers, and immigration advisors who allege

Series : The Root Causes of Migration In Germany, integration courses have long been a key step for asylum seekers and refugees trying to start a new life. These courses, typically including around 600 hours of German language instruction alongside a module on “living in Germany,” have helped structure the daily lives of many people in initial reception centers. They were especially important for those facing movement restrictions and, in most cases, a work ban of at least s

Series : The Root Causes of Migration As several countries, particularly in Europe, intensify the deportation of Afghan refugees, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is warning of the dangers of returning people to Afghanistan. The country remains in the grip of a severe humanitarian crisis, where large segments of the population are already suffering from hunger and a lack of essential services. A picture showing Afghan refugees (CC picture) The IRC has raised alarms

Series : The Root Causes of Migration For years, Morocco has mainly served as a transit country for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa seeking to reach Europe. But the situation is changing : more and more people are staying put, sometimes for long periods, or even permanently. This shift is transforming rural areas in particular, where the local workforce is dwindling and migrants are becoming essential to the agricultural economy. A picture of a Sub-Saharan migrant working i