SIR: The incessant shipwrecks on the Libya coastline and the thousands of lives that had been lost thus far has become a source of worry not only for the international community, but many Africans who begin to see the calamity as a result of failure of governance in Africa, particularly South of Sahara.
On Thursday, November 3, about 239 migrants died on two separate shipwrecks with very few surviving. From all indications, migrants from West Africa in particular were running away from hardship at home. Many of them preferred to die on adventure to Europe, to seek a better life than die of hunger in their countries. With the danger these migrants face in the Sahara desert on their way to Maghreb, which include hunger, armed robbery, kidnapping, exposure to wild animals and hostile government in Libya and later constant shipwrecks on the Mediterranean Sea, one thinks that they should have detested going into such journeys of no return. As an example, reports say that about 4,220 deaths have been recorded in 2016 alone, compared with 3,777 of 2015. This shows a clear increase in the number of those fleeing Africa to the unknown.
That the rescuers are mainly from the United Nations further dents the image of Africa as a continent where nothing works. Beyond this however, the true picture of human existence in Africa is given by this type of suicide mission, in spite of false pictures painted by various national governments’ propaganda machineries.
Whether our governments in West Africa or their agents notice the occurrence is a conjecture but since most of them watch international televisions and listen to international news, they would be up to date on the calamity happening to their citizens abroad. Equally, what they think about the calamity is a conjecture also. Nonetheless, what is certain is that their failure as leaders precipitated these disasters. For example, all index of development in most states of Africa are negative – unemployment, underemployment, kidnapping for ransom, violent armed robbery, lack of freedom to chose who governs them, embezzlement of funds meant for development, inflation, economic depression and life of hopelessness forced many African citizens on Trans Saharan – Mediterranean sea route to Europe for succor from hardship at home. Unfortunately, their case is between the devil and blue sea, yet they preferred to venture into the blue sea than to die of hunger at home.
There is no doubt that our leaders, who through obnoxious policies inflict hardship on their compatriots feel unconcerned about the gory picture of shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea, believing their children and families are safe in the confine of government houses or safe havens in Europe and America. There is no doubt that the blood of those who die from their bad governance would continue to cry for vengeance on the heads of those brought the calamity on them. This is the time for them to think before it is too late.
Adewuyi Adegbite
ayekooto05@gmail.com
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