Stakeholders have called on African governments to take stronger measures to protect migrants and tackle xenophobia, human trafficking and other forms of discrimination across the continent.
The call was made at a strategic dialogue on the impact of migration on African citizens, organised by the African Diaspora Union (AFRIDU) in Abuja.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora Affairs and NGOs, Senator Aniekan Bassey, condemned attacks against Africans in other African countries and urged governments to promote greater unity and cooperation for peace and development.
The Global President of AFRIDU, Prof. Chidiebere Ogbu, said the dialogue was aimed at placing human lives at the centre of discussions on migration.
Ogbu said behind every migration statistic was a human being, noting that dangerous migration journeys often reflected the desperation of people seeking better opportunities and living conditions.
He urged African countries to address the socio-economic challenges that make dangerous migration appear more attractive to young people than opportunities available within the continent.
The AFRIDU President also called for stronger action against human trafficking, particularly the exploitation of Africans through forced labour and sexual exploitation.
“Human dignity is not for sale. The African child is not a commodity. The African woman is not a commodity. The African migrant is not a commodity,” he said.
Ogbu urged African governments to strengthen enforcement, accountability and cooperation among countries to combat trafficking and protect migrants from exploitation.
He also expressed concern over the treatment of African migrants within the continent, calling for concerted efforts to tackle xenophobia and what he described as Afro-phobia against people based on their nationality or perceived foreign status.
He urged governments to establish clear measures, designate responsible institutions and set timelines for preventing human trafficking, protecting migrants and addressing xenophobia and Afro-phobia.
