By EricJames Ochigbo
The African Diaspora Union (AFRIDU) an apolitical organisation has tasked African leaders on mechanisms to protect African citizens against discrimination, attacks and exploitation in other countries.
The President of AFRIDU, Archbishop Chidiebere Ogbu, made the cal on Friday, while addressing newsmen ahead of Strategic Dialogue on Migration in Africa, scheduled for October 5, in Abuja.
Ogbu underscored the need for African leaders to urgently address the root causes of migration within and outside the continent.
He said that the dialogue is expected to bring stakeholders together to examine the challenges confronting African migrants and develop practical policy responses.
Ogbu said the continent must move beyond treating migration as an issue of statistics and immigration enforcement, saying that behind every migration figure was a human being seeking a better life.
He said African leaders must ask why citizens were willing to risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean Sea and deserts in unsafe conditions in search of opportunities abroad.
“We must discuss why people take the risks of crossing the Mediterranean seas on ordinary boats to reach the shores of Europe, and understand the solutions the African leaders can offer to stop these suicidal attempts by Africans crossing the seas and deserts in the name of migration.
“We must discuss Afrophobia, attacks and discrimination against African migrants in other African countries, particularly incidents allegedly targeting people because of their nationality or perceived foreign status,” he said.
Ogbu questioned who should be held accountable when African migrants were attacked, businesses destroyed, people intimidated or foreign nationals killed.
According to him, enforcement of existing laws alone would not address the problem, adding that governments must tackle the factors that make people vulnerable to traffickers and dangerous migration routes.
He suggested that the African Union could consider establishing a continental monitoring and accountability mechanism to track serious incidents involving African migrants, government responses, prosecutions and progress across member states.
The AFRIDU president also commended the Federal Government, Nigerian diplomatic missions and other African countries for efforts to evacuate citizens from South Africa during recent difficulties involving undocumented migrants.
He acknowledged the contributions of state governors and corporate organisations that supported the airlifting of stranded Nigerians, as well as Nigerian community organisations in South Africa.
Ogbu specifically commended the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA), Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA), Christian Association of Nigeria South Africa (CANSAF), Igbo Lawyers Association and other organisations for supporting stranded Nigerians.
He said AFRIDU remained committed to promoting African unity, diaspora engagement, sustainable development, youth empowerment, peace building, investment, diplomacy and the rights of African peoples and descendants.
He said the forthcoming strategic dialogue would provide an opportunity for African stakeholders to confront the challenges associated with migration and develop workable policies capable of safeguarding African lives and dignity.