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Momodou
Denmark
11828 Posts |
 Posted - 25 May 2006 : 16:20:25
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SPAIN’S ENVOY VISITS GAMBIA
By Musa Barrow
A Spanish envoy met with officials of the Department of State for Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. The meeting is to pave the way for a visit to The Gambia by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Spain. The Spanish Government has launched a diplomatic offensive in West African with a view to curb the flow of migrants to the Canary Islands, a Spanish territory which is situated off the coast of North Africa. According to news report, 7000 African migrants have landed on the Island this year, nearly 2000 of them this month alone. Thousands of West African youths, in their bid to escape poverty and in search of greener pastures, have succeeded in making the risky journey to Spain through the Sahara Desert and across the Mediterranean Sea. The Government of Morocco has taken drastic measures to block this route. Many Africans are now boarding local fishing boats Jam with migrants leaving the long unguarded coast line of Senegal and Mauritania to make the week long journey to the Canary Islands.
European States have in the recent past applied stringent measures to curb the flow of migrants to Europe. Spain’s proximity to Africa makes it vulnerable to the growing influx of clandestine migrants to Europe.
Senegalese Foreign Affairs Minister Cheikh Tidiane Gadio had talks with the Spanish Foreign Secretary of State Bernadino Leon. According to newspaper reports, Gadio indicated that Senegal has agreed to work with Spain to try to halt the departure of boats carrying clandestine migrants and crack down on people smuggling drugs. Reports have it that they cannot accept deportees purporting to be Senegalese just like that; they will be willing to assist their nationals who are stranded abroad, including bringing them home if necessary. 19 boats carrying 1500 would be migrants were reportedly intercepted last weekend.
The migration of these desperate West Africans is a thorn in the flesh of the Spanish authorities; the youths who see migration to Europe as the only viable alternative to their future are very determined to make the journey even if it means risking their lives. A Gambian who called from Spain advised Gambians not to make the journey to the Canary Islands because it is just too risky. He was however quick to add that the Spanish Government should strive to mend fences rather than build fences.
Source: Issue No. 40/2006, 25-28 May,2006
Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2006 : 21:53:02
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perhaps seperate but related. Senegal has launched a massive naval capaign and infact some youths on these fishing canoes have been intercepted and currently they are under arrest and have been detained.
i'm not sure what crime they have committed
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2006 : 22:18:46
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Read this on allafrica.com
Gambian Immigrants Among the Targeted Thousands of Gambian immigrants living in Spain are among those targeted for deportation. The Spanish Government has been very busy these past weeks to recruit help from West African states in stemming the tide of illegal immigration that has accosted Spain over the past several years.
There are thousands of Gambians working as farm-hands along the Spanish Pineda coastline and most of these are undocumented immigrants who have spent decades in the country. Spain is trying to get support from West African states to replicate the type of cooperation it got from the Kingdom of Morocco last year.
With their eyes set on possible donor assistance from the Spanish state, many African countries are not looking at the humanitarian dimensions of the Spanish problem.
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taalibeh
Gambia
336 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2006 : 22:57:18
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Unless African governments begin to work for the advancement of their citizens, issues like this will always be around to be discussed about.
Look at what The Gambia is getting her self into ie struggling to host a useless au meeting while the people have no food to eat, farmers' produce not marketed and hence no means of survival. Those of you in the west should double up your efforts helping your relatives back home.
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Taalibeh |
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Pappa
USA
76 Posts |
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