Searching for greener pastures

Migration can be defined as a process, which implies the movement of people from one part of the world to the other. It is a phenomenon that is as old as the human being. Throughout human history, people have migrated from place to place for different reasons. In ancient times, people migrated both voluntarily and involuntarily to evade diseases, hunger, wars and natural disasters.

Although at that time it involved some political implications, it has not been until the 21st century that it took a more political pronouncement. In recent times however, migration has not only taken political sidelines, it has as well encompassed tribal, national and economic dimensions as it has led to an implicit transformation of the globe.

According to information, along with the international flow of capital, information, and technology, migration is one of the forces of change in the world. Approximately 125 million people live outside their country of birth. The United Nations estimates that in the late 1990s, 2.6 million people migrated annually from less-developed to developed countries, seeking employment, reuniting with family, or fleeing conflict and persecution as refugees and internally displaced persons.

Migration has economic benefits for both developing and developed countries. In the recent past, there has been an increasing link between migration and development. Research seems to show that money remitted by migrants far exceeds foreign assistance. Most of these research focus on remittances, while others consider the impact of circular and return migration on the role of diasporas and policy.

As a result of this, international migration is widely held as having the potential to immensely facilitate development in poor countries. Many governments are trying to maximize its outcome, thus explaining why it has taken so much a political dimension.

As noted earlier, in Africa, unlike many other parts of the world, migration has made the headlines for the wrong reasons as thousands of youths try each year to reach the shores of Europe through what is now known as illegal migration. Illegal migration involves the movement of people across national boarders in a way that violates international immigration laws of the destination country.

Sometimes, it encompasses foreigners who over stay their visa in a foreign country. The illegal migration menace affects almost all countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Its intensity has led to it being tagged the ‘Reversed Colonialism’.

According to the Fortress Europe observatory on the victims of illegal migration, at least 8,175 people have died since 1988 along the European frontiers. Among them, 2,755 were lost or missing in the sea. In the Mediterranean Sea, and through the Atlantic Ocean toward Spain, 6,027 immigrants died.

The illegal trade in humans from Africa to Europe has intensified in the last two years. Just this year about 24 thousand people have made the perilous sea crossing to the Canary Islands. Up to 3,000 of them are believed to have died during the journey. Last year, 6,027 immigrants died. European countries have acknowledged the difficulty they face in tackling the menace.

Spain and its European neighbors have invested millions to stop the tirade. But this has not made much impact. Spanish authorities have called the tide of Africa boats Spain’s worst humanitarian crises since its civil war. This was after the arrival of1, 000 people over the 02-03 September weekend last year.

Migrants journey mostly through the Sahara to the coast of North Africa, from where they are connected through fishing boats to the Canary Islands, and the Spanish Coast. Each stage of the journey is filled with hazards and trauma. Those who make the journey narrate gruesome stories of torture, rape and killings from the beginning of the journey to the end.

But, this has not deterred many youths from making the journeys as more and more youths continue to harbor intensions of reaching the shores of Europe through boats.

The illegal migration menace affects almost all countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The whole region seems to be immersed in an unprecedented illegal immigration crisis which has economic as well as social impacts on the continent.

Despite the grave horrors associated with it, there are still many who are determined to pursue it. As Europeans are further tightening their boarders, migrants are mapping out ways to evade the prying eyes of the Spanish guards.

Instead of using North Africa as a launching point, West Africa is being used as the base for trafficking people. In the process of doing this some people have managed to turn an illegal trade into a profitable business enterprise. Youths pay as much as 1000 US Dollars to make the perilous journeys often with the belief that when the returns pour in they would be able to live better lives.

Sadly, the few who often manage to reach the shores of ‘Babylon’ sometimes never have the opportunity to live the lives they have very much dreamt of. Many are deported back to their own countries, while a few others live in Europe in horrific situations.

But why are youths adamant to engage in the journeys despite its disastrous consequences? The answer is simple. Most that pursue these journeys harbor the belief that it is the solution to the social and economic hardships they face.

Matarr Njie during a recent interview with the Daily Observer acknowledged the hardships involved in the journeys. But according to him, he is only deterred by lack of money. "Despite the horrible situation, I am still willing to go if I have the opportunity" he said. He added: "My problem is money. I am a family man and my family has to live a decent life."

He was not the only one to make such assertions. Many other youths have lamented the difficult conditions in which they live in. Ebrima Gaye also made such assertions. "Even if you get a job" he asserted "The salary you earn is meager. I prefer to be a farmer in Spain than washing cars without achieving my dreams."

A critical examination of the quality of life between Africa and Western Europe reveals a stark reality which would probably support their assertions. Sub-Saharan Africa where most of these migrants come from has some of the lowest standards of living in the world.

The lack of money according to him is just one part of the story. He highlights that for most of them, it is the difficulty of getting visas to Western countries which has forced them to take the risk of traveling to Europe via the Canary Islands. "It is difficult to get visas and the employment space is very narrow. I wash cars to earn my living but the little money I earn is not enough."

Several measures have been initiated to curb this menace. Due to the realization that it is due to lack of visas that youths resort to such ventures, Spain has developed plans to open its doors to migrants. In what has been described as the first of its kind, over 4000 contracts will be handed to young Senegalese and this will accord them the opportunity to work in Spain by the year 2008.

But this policy has been attacked by some civil rights activists as another means of exploitation. And it indeed holds water. One does not need to go far to realize that the policy chooses which type of migrants will be allowed into Spain. They are those with trades like carpentry who are very much needed in their home countries. Their absorption will just therefore, add to an already heightened brain drain crises.

Perhaps it is the realization that whatever policy is initiated to spot illegal immigration, it will only be geared to serve Western interest that a $6bn development package for West Africa was revealed by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) in August this year.

Amadou Diop, an UEMOA adviser, told the BBC: "You can improve the situation of people in our sub-region in terms of development, in terms of health, in terms of education. If we have success in the way, it is sure that people will have the opportunity to stay at home."

The BBC's James Copnall in Ivory Coast said the aim of the UEMOA's eight members is a grand one: to create a Francophone West African bloc so prosperous no - one will want to leave. Most of the money - about $5bn - was pledged by foreign donors and the African Development Bank as long ago as last year.

It might have some shortcomings, but whatever the case is, this bold and drastic step was indeed a demonstration that Africa is part of any solution to this problem.

It is sad to see the most vibrant sector of the African population engage in risky and perilous sea journeys which only end up claiming thousands of lives.

Illegal migration can be solved, but only through genuine partnership. As one American president noted: "It is disheartening to know that only 20% of the world’s population control 80% of the resources of the world." Fighting contentious issues in the world like illegal immigration requires fighting all human ills such as poverty through a fairer share of the resources of the world. This is the anecdote to the battle against this evasive menace.