Migration is not a new phenomenon in the history of human society. It has been part and parcel of people’s life and is also an integral factor in fostering civilization and development. Migration is said to be a positive factor when it is managed properly and safely. Otherwise those who would benefit by themselves and their nation by migrating abroad, working hard and sending money back home would be victims of criminal activities like trafficking, labor abuse and organ harvesting.
In order to alleviate these problems and promote global standards for global migration governance the world has adopted a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in 2018. Several countries including Ethiopia have implemented the GCM and are showing progress in domesticating the documents which helps to realize a safe, orderly and regular migration.
Today’s Herald Guest is Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma who is the Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at African Union Commission. Ambassador Samaté is a Burkinabe National with over thirty (30) years of experience in International relations, Diplomacy, Governance and Peace and Security, Humanitarian and Social Affairs. During her stay with The Ethiopian Herald she elaborated on how migration can assist economic and social development in the continent, how problems surrounding migration in Africa can be addressed and the role of continental free trade area as well as unity in building the Africa We Want. Reiterating that migrant right is a human right Ambassador Samate Cessouma notes that Africans need to unite and speak in one voice “to build the Africa We Want” Have a nice read!
How can migration be taken as a catalyst for development in Africa?
In Africa we used to move; migration is not new. We have more Africans moving within Africa than going abroad. Because the media doesn’t give positive perspectives about migration, migration doesn’t have good reputation. It’s seen as a source of difficulties, an impediment to progress. But the reality is quite different. Migration in itself is not a problem. It all depends on how it’s managed. If well managed, there are definite advantages to migration for Countries of origin, transit and destinations. The migrant contributes to the development of the host country with his daily expenses and to his country of origin mainly by remittances. It’s known that in many African countries, the remittances are higher than international aids for development. Can you imagine that? This can massively contribute to the development of our nations, as it signifies the importance of migration and its contribution to our continent. Migrants have an important role to play in the realization of the Africa We Want.
If migration can contribute to development what are the factors hindering the safe and orderly movement or migration of people especially in Africa?
The difficulty we have now is this irregular migration. Hence, the importance of this Global Compact for Migration (GCM) to ensure that we have safe, orderly and regular migration. We are working in tandem with our partners to sustain regular migration, it’s a multi-stakeholder work. Countries of origin should ensure the safety of our citizens traveling abroad, that will help us deal with the difficulty of missing migrants. Most missing migrants fall victims of what we call ‘’modern day slavery’’ by traffickers, how can human beings experience such kinds of inhumane treatment in the 21st century? Of course, what’s of greater concern are the women migrants; they are manhandled, raped, infected with diseases, get unwanted pregnancies and children. That is why it is important to rapidly implement this GCM, by domesticating and including it in our national strategies for the protection of our people.
The Africa Union Commission encourages its member states to intensify advocacy of the many strategies we adopted to enlighten the youth especially, so they do not fall for the tricks of traffickers that present them with juicy but fake offers of getting them better life abroad. I reiterate that migrants’ rights are human rights and must be respected and protected, whether legal or illegal migrants. Migrants are human beings. Africa must work together to protect its citizens; they cannot be captured as “modern day slaves’’ somewhere.
In addition to the violation of their rights, the other crime happening is “organ trafficking”. When our migrants disappear, it’s imperative to make all efforts to find them. They can’t just disappear in the world? We have to draw global attention on this issue of organ trafficking: African migrants have become “spare parts”. This shouldn’t continue. It’s unworthy for human beings. We need to be respected. As an African, I am condemning this, and categorically state that this is unacceptable and untenable. The African Union is working with its member states to adopt pathways to bring to an end these very horrible acts perpetrated against our citizens. We will do everything possible to find solution to this problem.
If educated and working citizens of Africa are encouraged to leave and work outside the continent, what makes it different from brain drain?
We are human beings and accepting better job offers is part of us, however, seeing our best brains leave the continent and not returning is sad. But, then also, the level of salaries in Africa is problematic, which culminate to the growing poverty in our countries. We need to boost economic development, ensure fair remuneration to maintain our trained professionals, that is where the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has a critical role to play. A free trade area leads the way on how we can work together to build the Africa We Want. Furthermore, the agriculture sector is suffering from a lack of interest, regarded as a non-gratifying job, which is not true. In my culture we say that the land never lies. If you work hard and smart you can earn the benefits. I am a daughter of a farmer and I know what I am talking about. I used to farm as a young girl, and I’m well aware about the benefits you can obtain. We can turn the fortunes of our youth around by introducing and training them in mechanized farming. We should also ensure the remunerations and incentives of our trained professionals are something better to encourage them to stay and build Africa. Above all, I think the education curriculum in Africa must be looked at, we need to educate an African fit for the 21st century and that’s our theme of year for 2024.
What are African countries doing to retain the workforce in the continent?
Retaining the workforce requires a multi-sectorial and integrated approach. The AfCFTA as mentioned is part of the solution. It is steered in a way that, small and medium scale enterprises, informal sector, and anybody working, will have a benefit, our citizens from Cape to Cairo, Banjul to Zanzibar can easily do business and trade together in Africa without difficulties. This is a big project with a combined GDP of 3 trillion dollars, and we are certain it will contribute to the massive economic development of the continent, to the physical benefits of every single person. The Executive Secretary of this secretariat is an inspiring young leader and he is performing well. He deserves the necessary support to succeed. Various governments of member states are also putting in place relevant measures to keep their best talents at home, here in Africa. Together we shall succeed; nobody will come and build the Africa We Want. If we don’t do it ourselves, we are wasting our time.
Mostly, destination countries choose educated and experienced at once. What about the others?
People need decent work which they cannot have in their own country. The most important thing is for government to create enabling environments and provide the structures for the private sector to set up businesses. By so doing, the economy grows, and provides various avenues with better opportunities. Our citizens won’t even bother to look at any offer if they have all these great openings at their door steps. We should also inculcate the sense of nationalism and patriotism, not everyone must travel abroad. The grass is greener where it is watered. I insist on the necessity of sacrifice, if we are to build our countries for better.
There are victims of human trafficking that also could not get educational opportunities like those who interrupted from high school, or University, or those who don’t like housemates. Is there any way through which this Global compact can address them?
The GCM emphasizes the need for nation states to prevent human trafficking by addressing the root causes, including lack of education. It calls for special attention to the needs of vulnerable groups, like those with low levels of education, ensuring they have access to information and resources. The ball is in our court, i.e. Africa.
Again member states must domesticate it and implement it, with the support of UN and our social partners. In doing so, I will say second chances, everyone deserves that, and we can provide opportunities for everybody in different streams. Interrupting the school is not doomed to fate.
If I don’t have the opportunity to go to school, I can do something else with my 10 fingers. Talents has made a lot of people successful than we think. Also, Africa should take charge based on its priorities that will enable us to reject any kind of imposition because we already have our plan and interest. We can succeed in what we need for our continent and we know what it is. But we cannot do that without being united, disunity is the problem. We are not talking with one voice. And, that must change, if we ever want to be completely free. This is very important for Africa. For a peaceful, integrated Africa, with jobs for our youth and women, and a healthy population, we need to be united, come together and work as one for our common vision, the Africa We Want.
Thank you very much for your time!
BY ZEKARIAS WOLDEMARIAM
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER 2024
