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Alexandre Damas, a great French author was the grand son of a former African slave woman in Santo Domingo.
If these 15th and 16th century African experts had not been “buried” in their adopted countries or invested in the development of the African continent I wonder where on the classification chart Africa could have been today. Developing countries, particularly Africa, are being stripped of the possibility of attaining the impressive height of a developed nation by the setting in of migration in an unparalleled and unchecked way. For how long shall the black presence continue to suffer reproach, servitude, trafficking, illegal migration, exploitation, repatriation and prejudice? Evidence exists that in Morocco, almost every year, thousands of Africans dream of building castles in Spain and of finding happiness in Europe. Wondering along the roads or packed into sordid hotel rooms in Morocco, Africans are pushed by the nightmare of an interminable wait or a life that may end at the bottom of the Straits of Gibraltar. Some of the young migrants who try to cross the narrow channel hope that on the other side they will find reasons to go on living. It is indeed a chronicle of desperate adventure.
Eyoum Ngangue, a correspondent for The Courier, laments in one of his reports on youth migrants from Africa who continue to embark on the adventure to Eldorado at the risk of their lives in the bottom of a ship’s hold, in an aircraft’s undercarriage, in the cold of a refrigerated lorry or even on board cockleshells. Spanish and Moroccan media publish macabre news about the dramas taking place between Africa and Europe as capsized launches and the bodies of migrants are ripped in pieces by sharks.
As barriers mount, increasing desperate measures are taken by people prepared to risk their lives to circumvent them. For traffickers it is an opportunity to generate huge profits but for the clandestine migrants a terrifying and fatal journey. Increasingly, a bulk of African youths continue to be driven by the desperate desire to escape destitution from a continent devastated by bad governance, embezzlement, nepotism, exploitation, unemployment, hunger and political crises.
What are the Stakes for the African Governments?
The propensity for illegal migration today amongst youth circles should serve as a strong wake–up call to all African leaders; not only to adjust their systems and policies but also to set up priority youth targeted programs that will give the continent a new face-lift.
Nelson Mandela said, “I hope and vowed then that among the treasures that life might offer me would be the opportunity to serve my country and make my humble contribution to their struggle”.
George Washington made a similar statement to this connection when he said “I hope I shall ways possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most valuable of all titles; the character of an honest man”.
If Africans are suffering it is certainly the effect of dishonesty in the character of the continent’s leadership and an unwillingness of the power brokers to contribute to their struggle. Africa is the richest in raw materials yet poorest in basic social welfare of its citizenry. The desperation of Africans is not normal. It requires a response from those who hold the “horns” of the continent.
As youths we are appealing for the authorities in Africa to choose to comply with their consciences and not to comply with personal interests. In this way we can give Africa the chance to experience true prosperity.
African youths need responsive and proactive executive leadership at all levels of national affairs; one that is governed and guided by the rule of leading the people by example. We desire a new order of authority building on the framework of bringing about change by serving as an example. Times tell us that we should pursue peace without the possible use of coercion. The excellence of government is in respecting the people’s democracy and also in implementing accords, protocols and resolutions without the eruption of domination and subjugation. Without such a pattern of leadership the myth that Europe is a paradise to many Africans will hardly be reverted.
The intensity of youth migration is because these youths have the opinion that Africa is poor. Poverty is not limited to not having money in your pocket, the National Treasury or the Central Bank. Poverty is in the ideas of leaders and general mentalities among the public. Poverty is a nation's concept of life. Africa is rated poorly partly because the continent’s concept of life is “ we are poor” and partly because the leadership ideology of growth has been engrafted on a framework of foreign aid and material consumption.
There is a dire need for governments to set in attitude transformation programs as part of their national development strategy on a bottom top- top bottom approach. Without such an attituite, crisis will be another major driving force for illegal migration to Europe. If nothing is done to control and contain the illegal movement of people out of poor countries and no incentives are introduced for those willing to stay and work at home to work, the world risks facing a situation of global insecurity where the tightening of borders, destitution and repulsion produces a further intensity of bitterness and hostility between various races and the possible proliferation of barbaric activities as witnessed in some developed countries today.
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Writer Profile
Stephen N. Asek
Stephen Asek is a Cameroonian with a multicultural perspective in development, justice and social responsibility.
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Comments
tamuka tendayi | Oct 31st, 2006
this is a masterpiece
hello mohmmed elnour ahmmed abbo | Jun 17th, 2007
I am mohmmed Abbo from Nyala Darfur need to continue my education out sudan
mohmmed_abbo@yahoo.com
hello mohmmed elnour ahmmed abbo | Jun 17th, 2007
I am mohmmed Abbo from Nyala Darfur need to continue my education out sudan
mohmmed_abbo@yahoo.com
hello mohmmed elnour ahmmed abbo | Jun 17th, 2007
I am mohmmed Abbo from Nyala Darfur need to continue my education out sudan
mohmmed_abbo@yahoo.com
hello mohmmed elnour ahmmed abbo | Jun 17th, 2007
University of Nyala
hello mohmmed elnour ahmmed abbo | Jun 17th, 2007
I am mohmmed Abbo from Nyala Darfur need to continue my education out sudan
mohmmed_abbo@yahoo.com
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