By Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi
On Wednesday, April 3, French police removed dozens of migrants, including families with young children, from the forecourt of Paris City Hall as the capital prepares to mark 100 days until the start of the Olympic Games. This move has again highlighted the need for African countries to build their economies and discourage unplanned migration to Europe in search of greener pastures.
According to media reports, the French Police arrived at dawn to remove about 50 people, mostly women and children aged 3 to 10, who were bundled up in strollers, under blankets or covered with plastic sheets to shield against the rain.
The migrants packed their belongings and boarded a bus to temporary government housing in the town of Besançon in eastern France.
Aid workers have expressed concern that the move on Wednesday is the beginning of a broader effort by Paris authorities to clear out migrants and others sleeping rough in the capital before the Olympic Games without providing longer-term housing options.
Interestingly, many of the families are from French-speaking African countries, including Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ivory Coast and Senegal.
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In recent years, the topic of African migrants seeking refuge or better opportunities in Europe has been a contentious issue, sparking debates and policy discussions across the continent. Amidst heightened concerns over border security and immigration, there’s a growing recognition of the need to reassess how European countries address the humanitarian needs of African migrants within their borders.
Heritage Times (HT) gathered that currently, many migrants risk all to reach South Africa, making a notoriously dangerous journey across the border from Zimbabwe. Having fled poverty and desperation elsewhere in Africa, they feel they have no choice as it takes about five minutes to walk from the nearest Zimbabwean village into South Africa.
But as elections approach, xenophobic sentiment is on the rise and South Africa’s government is under pressure to tighten the border, even President Ramaphosa has said that undocumented foreign nationals worsen South Africa’s social and economic problems.
Unfortunately, according to a report by the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Regional Data Hub, women and girls make up the majority of migrants in the East and Horn of Africa at 50.4 per cent, compared to men and boys, a phenomenon and migration trend unique to the region.
Social Media Reports
Videos flying, reports sharing have continue to show the position some African Migrants are faced with despite the harsh weather condition.
European countries have been criticised for their treatment of African migrants, with reports highlighting instances of overcrowded detention centers, lack of access to basic services, and cases of abuse and exploitation.
According to Reliefweb, African migration continue to experience persistent upward pressures, with limited economic opportunity, conflict, repressive government, growing youth populations, and climate change as the primary drivers behind the approximately one million new migrants in 2023.
Opeyemi (not real name) spoke with our correspondent from Chartres, a small town not far from Paris, noting that it has been a lot better for her since she relocated out of Nigeria with her daughter and gained a permanent resident permit in France.
Responding to how easy it is for migrants to settle down and government benefits available, she said, ‘‘you only enjoy government benefits when you have residence permit, that is when you apply for government house which is way cheaper than private houses, little fins will also come in if the person has children or a child, and also if she is a single mom.
‘‘The Police won’t harass you if they don’t have any info about you, secondly they won’t harass you if you pay for your transportation.. the only time police will do stop and search is when there is unrest in a city. My city is not that big so there is nothing like harassment here only in big cities.
‘‘Yes yes I prefer it here because some things are quite affordable like food, clothings, compared to Africa where our money has no value. And of course there is power 24/7, good roads and security is ok.. I won’t be working on the street at night with the fear of someone coming to snatch my phone or fear of traffic. There is punishment for everything you do and there are laws guiding these rules, but the only challenge is because it’s a non-speaking English country but of course you must be willing to migrate so that you can be independent,’’ she narrated.
Call To Action
According to Ms Scholastica Esug-Mensah, Assistant Commissioner, Head, Permanent Residence and Gender Focal Person, Ghana Immigration, the country borders is indeed a harsh place for women and they must be protected.
Again, stakeholders have emphasized on the importance of upholding human rights and dignity for all individuals, regardless of their migration status. Calls have been made for European countries to prioritize providing basic humanitarian needs such as shelter, food, healthcare, and education for migrants within their borders.
There is also a growing recognition of the need to address the root causes of migration by investing in development aid, conflict resolution, and sustainable development initiatives in Africa. By tackling the underlying drivers of migration, European nations can contribute to creating conditions that enable individuals to thrive in their home countries, thereby reducing the need for migration.
