Lessons for Africa in Europe's mass migration ordeal

04 September 2015 - 02:07 By The Times Editorial

The world should hang its head in shame today following the drowning of a three-year-old Syrian boy in the Mediterranean. Hundreds have been killed while trying to cross into Europe from their troubled countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, but the pictures of this toddler's lifeless body washed out of the sea should be a turning point in this human tragedy's unfolding.The last time we saw such numbers of people migrating across the world was during World War2.Today the world is again confronted by massive movements of people running away from conflict and economic meltdown.They risk their lives to find a haven in another country.Yesterday, the European Commission's vice- president, Frans Timmermans, said "Europe is facing an unprecedented humanitarian and political crisis."He said there is not a person with a soul who would not be shocked by the photos of the child, whose harrowing death and that of his mother and brother, shocked the world.How much worse must the situation become before we put an end to this human tragedy?The borders drawn after World War2, which often took no or little account of ethnic identities, and the spread of religious conflict, put into question the survival of the present world order. The UN has been found wanting.Today South Africa is also dealing with bouts of xenophobic violence as thousands of Africans move south in search of a better life.Our over-stretched economy will further be tested as the economy continues to deteriorate and thousands of people are forced into living on the streets.The tragedy in Europe should force us to think out of the box to find answers for a troubled Africa, from which too many of the young migrate in search of a better world...

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