Europe fails to score at migration conference

In a follow-up to our earlier slightly optimistic post about the migration conference being held in Rabat, we have to report that things are far from positive. It seems that while happy to chat about minor details, the delegates have failed to grapple with the major problems of corruption and mismanagement that have turned the wealth gap between north and south into a chasm into which many young Africans plunge in their attempts to escape grinding poverty.

Mohamed Khachani, head of the Moroccan migration research group AMERM was refreshingly blunt when he reported, "We expected a frank and sincere dialogue that goes to the heart of the problem, but it seems that didn't happen. There doesn't seem to be much of a change of tack by Europe, which is still obsessed with fighting illegal migration"

He said little was done to relieve the immediate suffering of thousands of destitute Africans ready to brave treacherous seas in crowded motor launches and decrepit fishing boats for the chance of a new life in Europe.

Europe, keen to prove it is sympathetic, played up the benefits of legal migration and championed ideas like micro-credits for migrants to set up businesses back home, and centres of medical excellence to stop an exodus of African health workers.

A new observation unit will track migrant movements and states agreed to work together to crack down on human trafficking gangs, branded "21st century slave traders" by Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Tidiane Gadio.

But there was little mention of the waste and corruption that has left swathes of Africa starved of infrastructure and meant economic growth and living standards have failed to keep pace with the rapidly growing population.

"Europe has a fundamental role to play when we talk about bad governance because these governments are often supported by the European Union," said Khachani.

Tags: Morocco Fes, Maghreb news