According to the Commissioner for Social Affairs of the African Union (AU), Amira El Fadil, a large number of those who are fleeing to Europe from Africa are economic migrants. Since many people have lost their livelihoods as a result of the Corona crisis, El Fadil expects increasing refugee movements in the future, as she explained to journalists on the sidelines of a migration conference in Vienna. At the same time, she pleaded for a more positive image of migration.
The corona pandemic has hit the continent hard, countless people have lost their jobs, and the number of those living in poverty has increased as a result. “That’s why we expect that this will encourage more people to find ways to leave Africa,” said El Fadil in a press briefing at this year’s migration conference of the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), which took place on Tuesday and Wednesday in Vienna took place. They assume that with increasing economic pressure, the willingness to embark on the migration route will also increase. According to the AU Commissioner, this will most likely lead to an increase in irregular migration, as the routes for legal migration are extremely limited.
An increase in migratory movements can also be expected within Africa itself, due, among other things, to increased economic cooperation between the countries and the intention of the African Union to enable the free movement of goods and services as well as the free movement of people. According to the Sudanese commissioner, Africa is already the continent most severely affected by migration. Eighty percent of the movements would take place there and only 20 percent would come to Europe, reminded El Fadil.
These 20 percent would often come to Europe with exaggerated expectations. “We also have to tell the negative stories here,” said El Fadil, demanding more information through the media in the countries of origin of refugees.
Partnerships, such as with the EU and institutions such as the Vienna-based ICMPD, would also help in matters of migration management. One of the best ways the West or the EU can support Africa is through investments. With the jobs created locally, people could find new perspectives in their homeland and might not even feel the urge to emigrate.
El Fadil criticized the resurgent nationalism of many European countries and their negative view of the issue of migration, which is usually only perceived as a “burden” instead of an “opportunity”. Dialogue and exchange are helpful here. The Sudanese thinks nothing of ideas like “disembarkation platforms” or “landing centers” in Africa, which some politicians in the EU repeatedly bring up into play. This is not a common approach, it would only present the problem as an “African” one instead of solving it. The responsibility must be shared, called El Fadil.
