One of the most concerning phenomena over the last decade, or so, is seeing the increasing numbers of people from Africa (and the Middle East) making the dangerous trip across the Mediterranean Sea. In an attempt to arrive and build a better life in Europe. It speaks volumes to the amount of hopelessness felt by numerous Africans towards the dire economic realities within the continent. Every year thousands of Africans are making the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean Sea towards Europe in search of greater economic opportunities.
Often these journeys that are made towards Europe, which are normally facilitated by people smuggling organisations, pose a major risk towards all the migrants attempting to make the journey. It is not uncommon to hear of stories of small boats carrying hundreds of migrants capsizing within the Mediterranean and scores of people dying or going missing as a result.
Recently, the United Nations International Organisation of Migration (IOM), published a report saying that over 63,000 migrants have died or gone missing over the last decade on migration routes. According to Aljazeera, more than 27,000 deaths of migrants have occurred in the Mediterranean Sea by those attempting to reach Europe from North Africa.
Africa’s regrettable economic reality
Endemic corruption and economic mismanagement has meant that despite many African countries being extremely resource rich, many Africans remain extremely poor. As a result, for many, a feeling of hopelessness sets due to the lack of economic opportunities.
Therefore, many younger Africans, especially, begin looking abroad for those opportunities they lack back home. Most would look towards legal ways of moving abroad, while others would simply try making the journey towards a developed country and attempt to seek asylum.
Nearly a decade ago, the chances of those who arrived in Europe to apply for asylum and get accepted were more favourable, as Europeans had been more open to accepting migrant populations. However, in recent years, developed nations have become increasingly hostile towards migrants as populist right wing political parties have begun popping up all across Europe. The election of leaders such as Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni is a prime example of that. She was elected, in large part, because of her anti-immigration sentiment. Other examples would include: Germany with the rise of the far right AFD party, France’s Marine Le Pen and Geert Wilders in the Netherlands.
However, despite Europe’s increased hostility towards a mass migration of people coming from the third-world, the numbers of people attempting the journey is not decreasing. The reality is that as long as many of Africa’s ruling class remains corrupt and ineffective, poorer Africans are going to look for better opportunities elsewhere. Therefore, due to Europe’s relatively proximity to Africa, it will always be a prime destination for those in search of a better life.
In order to solve this problem, the fundamental issue of government corruption must be addressed. Those elected into power have to take on the responsibility of working in the interest of their constituents rather than themselves personally. Therefore, there must be greater political engagement by all sectors of society to demand reform, because clearly the current status quo only seems to benefit the elite within our societies whilst the rest are left to fend for themselves.
