The Euro-Africa migration summit
As 2015 draws to a close, one phenomenon which appeared to define the year was the migrant. Predictably, the African dimension of the migration narrative is chilling and equally moving. On a regular basis, hundreds of Africans perish in the desert or get drowned in the sea in their desperate search for the supposedly better life in Europe. At a point in time, the human flow receded in view of the fact that the European Union (EU) came up with the expedient of an agreement with Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya. In the context of certain reciprocal dynamics, Gaddafi was able to help Europe stem the flow of migrants from the continent.
But it was even in the course of this interesting partnership that the self-same Europe, in consonance with the ever-changing nature of its interests, colluded with internal forces to oust their erstwhile ally Gaddafi. Subsequently, the refugee flow resumed in earnest from various African countries, such as Ghana, Mali, Ethiopia, Eritrea and, of course, Nigeria. Unfortunately, this time around, the refugee flow has been complemented and compounded by another disastrous one from the Middle East.
Against this background, it is possible to appreciate the seriousness which went into the hosting of the recent Euro-Africa summit on migration. Among other things, the Malta meeting came up with some proposals as regards how to stem and if possible halt the human flow from Africa. By way of incentives, the EU offered sweeteners like an aid package of €1.8 billion and more markets and visas for Africans. These incentives are meant for African countries that are able to arrest people smugglers and also accept to return migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected. Such, indeed, is the way of international politics: carrots and sticks!
At one level, it is possible to appreciate these thoughtful gestures of the EU. On the other hand, however, it is possible to contend that these gestures amount to nothing but palliatives. Take the proposed aid package. It is in reality very small. It is doubtful whether African countries, as poor as they appear to be, will be ensnared by this miniscule bait.
On this note, it is important to understand the fundamentals of the push and pull factors which give rise to migration. As regards the former, features like bad governance, wars and corruption have ensured a situation in which thousands of Africans continue to vote with their feet with Europe as a choice destination.
Incidentally, many of the European countries are to some extent culpable for these inclement conditions in the continent. Therefore, it is even possible to discern a karmic dimension as regards the destination of these refugees. Meanwhile, the blame for even the pull factor can also be placed at the doors of the West. No thanks to the propaganda of its pervasive media, Africans are continuously regaled with the vistas of an Eldorado which supposedly exists in Europe.
Beyond much of the foregoing is that many Europeans at certain points in time were also migrants. And, indeed, for centuries, Europeans were wont to leave their homes and migrate to places like Canada and the USA where the Statue of Liberty welcomed them among the masses yearning to be free.
It is against this background that we urge the EU to take a much more realistic position on this human situation. Evidently, the palliatives on offer will not do. They will only succeed in scratching the surface of this deep-seated problem. Moreover, as history has consistently reminded us, every fortress has a chink. And to this extent, very much the same thing can be said for Fortress Europe which has been put in place to stem the human flow from Africa.
On the other hand, African countries also have a responsibility to ensure that the governance climate in their respective social formations is wholesome. Should this roseate situation obtain, Africans will be less inclined to commence dialogue with their feet. Rather, they will be more inclined to look within in their legitimate search for self-actualisation.