Hiiraan Online
Saturday, November 29, 2014
The EU-Horn of Africa Migration Route Initiative (Khartoum Process) was launched yesterday under Italy’s European Union Council Presidency at a Ministerial conference in Rome. Participating nations were those that were most affected by migration either as a source, transit or final destination states.
Participating countries included the European Unions 28 Member States, Libya, Egypt Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya and Tunisia.
Opening the conference, Italy’s Foreign and Interior Minister’s stated that since Italy assumed the EU Council Presidency migration and refugee policy was put at the heart of the EU’s foreign policy agenda bringing the issue into the spotlight due to the large number of illegal migrants and asylum seekers coming to Europe. The initiative they argued aims to promote concrete projects for the more effective management of migration flows in the countries of the Horn of Africa and the main Mediterranean countries of transit such as Libya and Sudan.
The Somali Foreign Minister, Dr. Abdirahman Dualeh Beileh, lead the Somali delegation made up of senior officials and adviser from his Ministry and the Ministry of Interior represented by Director General Ali Abtidon Halane and the Somali Ambassador to Italy H.E General Musa Hassan Abdulle.
Dr. Beileh spoke of the challenges Somalia faces with illegal migrations and the underlying issues as to why many of his peopel are pulled towards migrating to Europe. He made clear that, while Somalia as a nation is improving daily and its institutions are strengthening, there are still very limited opportunities for those that are tempted to seek a better life in places they see as greener pastures such as the EU member states.
Dr. Beileh also stressed the importance of not narrowly focusing on border management as the only means of tackling illegal migration, human trafficking and smuggling. In this respect he underlined the close ties between development and migration.
“Tackling illegal migration and human trafficking and smuggling between source countries in Africa and EU Member states requires more than just laws and physical barriers,” said Dr. Beileh. “Working to provide better living conditions gives Africans the right to stay in their land.”
Minister Beileh spoke of the effects of the tragedy of Lampedusa as something that touched him and others profoundly. He said that “many young, bright Africans died miserably alone while seeking a better life in Europe. This did not stop others from trying the same with exactly the same hope and meeting the same fate. Nor is this experience a deterrent today for the young and ambitious that see no hope in their own lands in Africa.”
Minister Beileh stressed that nobody ever wants to leave their home nation voluntarily and that it is poverty, insecurity and lack of opportunities that are forcing people away from countries like Somalia.
“As a member of the Diaspora myself, who spent over 30 years outside Somalia, I can tell you that Somalis love their nation. Home is, and will always be, home. It is special because it is where we belong and where we feel special. Nobody would like to leave this space of love, belonging and security if they had opportunities and livelihoods.
Dr. Abdirahman Beileh in his statement said that migration is not a new phenomenon and that most EU member states had experienced mass migration in times of difficulty to the United States of America and other more prosperous nations in the past. However, he reminded the delegates that this trend was reversed with economic growth, greater security and the provision of public goods and services after the Second World War in Europe. Dr. Beileh concluded his speech by calling for this level of support to be extended to the less developed African nations if illegal migration and human smuggling is to be tackled effectively.
“In order for African nations to follow the EU route of development to entice its people from leaving for greener pastures abroad after the second world war, we must also have their level of development in all its forms and social protection so that we can offer those risking their lives the very opportunities and hopes they pray to find in the EU member states right at home,” said Minister Beileh.
At the end of the talks a Declaration of the Khartoum Process was endorsed by all participating nations which focused on partnership working to combat illegal migration and human trafficking.
On the fringes of the Khatoum Process Conference Dr. Beileh held bilateral talks with the Foreign Minister’s of Germany, Norway and Italy. He also visited the Somali embassy in Rome and delivered a keynote speech to the Somali Diaspora in Italy.
“We felt proud that Minister Beileh visited us today,” said a Somali refugee who did not want to be named. “We thought the Somali government forgot about us but I hope they can make our country better so we can return.”
Source: Hiiraan Online