Europe has moral obligation to aid in tackling Africa’s refugee crisis

Source:Global Times Published: 2015-10-21 20:33:01

European collaboration in handling the migration crisis in Africa is mandatory, experts meeting over the weekend in Dakar for a conference on management of Africa's natural resources have said.

"It should be clear that Europe has a moral obligation to work closely with Africa to resolve the migration crisis," president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Guy Verhofstadt said. "The collaboration will help to improve the situation of people living in refugee camps, especially in terms of health and education for children," he said.

Verhofstadt said Europe should also actively collaborate with African countries to bring peace to the countries of origin of migrants, hence encouraging migrants and refugees to return to their countries. "The African continent, with its over 15 million refugees, has performed better than Europe in managing the influx of migrants," the ALDE president said, adding that "The request for asylum and getting it is more respected in Africa since some 3 million refugees have found safety and protection that they had lost in their countries."

The co-president of the Alliance for Liberals and Democrats for Europe, Pacific, Africa and the Caribbean (ALDE PAC) Louis Michel said, "Europe should fulfill its moral obligation to humanity by welcoming refugees running away from war and violence."

"We should also welcome economic migrants, it is a challenge that can be solved in a win-win arrangement between Europe and Africa," he concluded.

Togo's Prime Minister Komi Selom Klassou said, "Helping people running away from war and oppression is an obligation for Europe and it is stipulated by the international law."

"The Mediterranean tragedy is caused by search for a better life. All the barriers set up will not reverse the trend. African migrants will continue to pass through the Mauritanian and Libyan coast, with support of smugglers," he warned.

The Togolese prime minister said Europe should help Africa develop better policies with regards to security, fight against poverty and good governance.

"There is no development without strong and credible institutions, and only rational and transparent exploitation of our resources will help to develop the continent," Klassou concluded.

The article is a commentary from the Xinhua News Agency. It first appeared in Xinhua. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn

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