AFRICA/IVORY COAST - The drama of illegal migrants: where are the African politicians?

Thursday, 22 June 2017 politics  

Abidjan (Agenzia Fides) - "I am sad to see that several ministers had been invited for this constructive exchange of views, but only one came. Others preferred to go to the opening of a casino", said Fr. Norbert Éric Abekan, in his speech, during a meeting at the World Refugee Day, held on June 20 at the Institut français in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
The Catholic priest underlined that clandestine migration "is an across the board issue that involves everyone. "As a priest, during my travels, Ivorians living abroad come up to me, and those who are undocumented do different jobs and live hidden with the fear of repatriation. We have the responsibility of trying to discourage young people to embark on the path of clandestine migration".
According to Imam Issouf Doumbia, who lived in the United States for 14 years, families have a strong responsibility in pushing their children to try the path of illegal migration. "It is serious when a 14-year-old boy says he has to make a living to help the family. It is shocking when a girl says that her absence is not noticeable in her family because there are so many", said the Imam.
For local politicians, the drama of clandestine migration of their fellow countrymen, as noted by Fr. Abekan, does not seem to be as important as opening a new casino. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 22/6/2017)


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