Public Agenda NewsPaperPublic Agenda NewsPaper
  • General News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Development Agenda
  • World News
  • Features & Opinions
  • Election watch
  • Editorial
Font ResizerAa
Public Agenda NewsPaperPublic Agenda NewsPaper
Font ResizerAa
  • General News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Development Agenda
  • World News
  • Features & Opinions
  • Election watch
  • Editorial
Search
  • General News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Development Agenda
  • World News
  • Features & Opinions
  • Election watch
  • Editorial
Follow US
Breaking NewsWorld News

Letter from Africa: Spare a thought for stranded migrants

Latifa Carlos
Last updated: May 17, 2020 6:58 am
Latifa Carlos
Share
3 Min Read
The coronavirus crisis has deepened the struggle facing migrants in Calais and the UK
The coronavirus crisis has deepened the struggle facing migrants in Calais and the UK
SHARE

In our series of letters from African journalists, Ismail Einashe writes that migrants are facing a tougher time since the outbreak of coronavirus.

Thousands of African migrants are stuck in transit – unable to reach their destination or to get back home because the coronavirus pandemic has caused the world to come to a standstill.

Take two key exit points: the Horn of Africa route via the Gulf of Aden into the Middle East and the central Mediterranean route from Libya to Europe.

More Read

Gold Prices Plunge 6.3% in Largest Drop Since 2013
BoG Governor targets full de-dollarisation, wants cedi to be sole currency for all transactions
ISODEC to Plant 650 Trees to celebrate Ford Foundation’s 65 years in West Africa
Cedi erases Q3 losses recorded in 2025; posts 37% year-to-date appreciation against dollar
Resource Extraction, Climate Change Driving Inequality in West Africa — ISODEC

On the Horn of Africa route, the UN agency, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has recorded a sharp fall in the numbers of migrant crossings.

In April just 1,725 migrants arrived in Yemen from the Horn, compared to 7,223 in March, 9,624 in February and 11,101 in January of this year.

Last year more than 138,000 people – an average of around 11,500 a month – crossed on boats to Yemen, the majority Ethiopians bound for Saudi Arabia in search of work.

In the Somali port of Bosaso, migrants bound for the Middle East have been left stranded.

In Djibouti, hundreds of migrants have been abandoned by traffickers in a country with one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in Africa.

‘Coronavirus has changed everything’

The IOM estimates that about 400 migrants are currently been hosted by members of the local Ethiopian community in informal settlements around the city but the agency says they face increased stigma and abuse because travellers are seen as carriers of the virus.

A 19-year-old migrant told IOM: “I have been here for around three months. The coronavirus has changed everything. I cannot continue. I cannot go back because all borders are closed.”

Meanwhile, across the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have deported nearly 3,000 Ethiopian migrants on cargo planes over suspicions that they have Coronavirus.

Most of them are domestic workers – including maids – who worked legally for low pay in the oil-rich Arab states.

In Libya – the other key exit point, and the most dangerous sea crossing for migrants in the world – restrictions have prevented humanitarian boats from rescuing migrants stranded at sea – with migrants forced to return to a country mired in a dangerous conflict.

There is likely to be a sharp rise in attempts to migrate to Europe once travel restrictions are lifted – not least because lockdowns in African states have worsened poverty and have caused more damage to already struggling economies.

As for European states, they have used the Covid-19 pandemic to once again politicise the issue of migration.

Malta has closed its ports and returned migrants at sea to Libya, while Italy said migrants would be quarantined on rescue boats.

Source: BBC

Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Email Copy Link Print

Latest News

Assibey Antwi, Gifty Oware to face court today over NSA ghost names scandal
October 17, 2025
Govt spending falls 14% below target — BoG Report
October 13, 2025
GES to phase out double-track system by 2027 — GES
October 13, 2025
TUC warns of imminent water crisis, urges Mahama to declare State of emergency over galamsey
October 10, 2025
IMF reaches staff-level agreement with Ghana for $385m disbursement
October 10, 2025
High gold prices, poverty drive galamsey surge – Forestry Commission Board Chair
October 10, 2025
NAIMOS raids notorious ‘Gangway’ hideout at Aboso; arrests illegal Miners
October 7, 2025

You Might Also Like

Breaking NewsGeneral Newstop stories

LEG Submits inputs for Amendment of Minerals and Mining Act

October 7, 2025
Breaking NewsGeneral Newstop stories

Chairman Wontumi, two others charged over illegal mining activities

October 7, 2025
Breaking NewsGeneral Newstop stories

Govt approves GHC5 daily feeding for inmates – Prisons DG

September 30, 2025
Breaking NewsPolitics

Boakye Agyarko declares intent to contest NPP National Chairmanship

September 30, 2025

About Us

Public Agenda is fou­nded and owned by Pu­blic Agenda Communic­ations.

Public Agenda was founded as a public interest Me­dia entity. Its Visi­on is to contribute to building a well-i­nformed society where accurate informati­on dissemination is the cornerstone of a democratic, just and equitable society.

Its mission is to inform, guide and bui­ld responsible citiz­enship and accountab­le decision making and strive for excell­ence in the media in­dustry. Public Agenda Communications is managed by a Board of Directors.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?