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

Traditional Medicine Council Pushes for Stronger Standards and Integration
No region will be left behind in Big Push roads plan- President Mahama
Gov’t must take decisive steps to tackle galamsey – Acting CJ
GoldBod donates GH¢5m, five pickups to Lands Ministry for galamsey fight
2026 WCQ: Djiku’s strike seals win for Ghana over Mali to boost qualification chances

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

Eliminating Intra-African Trade Barriers no Longer Optional – AfCFTA Scribe
September 5, 2025
Judge reverses Trump administration’s cuts of billions of dollars to Harvard University
September 4, 2025
I’ll hold you to the June 2026 deadline – Mahama to Ofankor–Nsawam road contractor
September 3, 2025
Draft report on review of Constitution to be ready by October – CRC
September 3, 2025
GRNMA apologises to Health Minister over attacks
September 3, 2025
Shadows of Empire: The CIA, Kwame Nkrumah, and the Struggle for Ghanaian Sovereignty
September 3, 2025
Empowering Rural Women through environmental justice: GAGGA grantees convene in Accra
September 3, 2025

You Might Also Like

Breaking NewsDevelopment Agendatop stories

Birim North District Unveils Medium -Term Development Plan and More…

September 2, 2025
Breaking NewsGeneral Newstop stories

Chief Justice Getrude Torkornoo removed

September 1, 2025
Breaking NewsDevelopment Agendatop stories

ABANTU Engages Unsuccessful Women Parliamentary Candidates to Strengthen Political Participation in Ghana

August 28, 2025
Breaking Newstop storiesWorld News

Pakistan unveils 7-point plan for Gaza peace at OIC summit

August 26, 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?