The Journey of Death 2

For many centuries human beings have moved from one geographical area to the other for several reasons. Some travel in search of greener pastures, religious freedom, to tour historic sites, to flee from conflicts and wars in their countries. In fact the reasons for traveling are numerous and these travelers encounter a lot of hardships and misfortunes when moving from one place to the other.

Africans are known to be traveling to all  corners of the earth for some of the above reasons. But the journey so far has been one characterized by death. This happens especially to those who wish to go through the desert and also cross the Mediterranean Sea and get to Europe illegally. They fall prey to the so called connection men who try to ferry them across the Mediterranean Sea in their rickety boats. Most at times they charge them exorbitant fees before they board the boats. Many of them do not reach their intended destinations as often the boats capsize and the migrants drown in the sea. Thus the Mediterranean Sea has now become a grave for many of these travelers who want to get to Europe at all cost.

This journey i call the "Journey of Death" because of the perils and dangers involved. Most of these illegal migrants are from Libya, Eritrea, Tunisia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and other parts of West Africa. They have the notion that once they make it to Europe, they will get the opportunity to get a job, make some money and send some home for the upkeep of their families.

But who is to be blamed for these senseless deaths? African leaders have failed woefully to better the living conditions of their people. They rather tend to pay attention to misplaced priorities and forget totally about the plight of the people. If they also use the revenue generated from the natural resources judiciously, there will be no need for Africans to brave the perils and dangers of the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea before they reach Europe. The blood of the thousands  of illegal migrants who have died in the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea is crying out to Mother Earth. What can Europe do to stem this tide? Your suggestions are welcome.

The Afrophobic Attacks In South Africa

The world went on a jubilation spree when Nelson Mandela was released from prison and this signaled the beginning of the end for the apparthied system in South Africa. I remember that afternoon very well because i was glued to my father's black and white television set. I was so much interested in happenings around the world at that very young age. That was one of the moments i will forever cherish in my lifetime.

I also remember watching the reactions of several world leaders and victory parades held in almost all of the African countries. I still have that nostalgic feeling of that glorious day. Most African countries supported the ANC in their fight against the apparthied regime. This was a brutal struggle and the black South Africans who were in the majority were being discriminated against on several fronts, thus they became fed up with the system and took up arms to fight for their legitimate rights.

Thus, elections were held and Nelson Mandela won with an overwhelming majority to become the first black president of South Africa. They then gradually started to consolidate their rule. Many years have passed and successful elections have been held in South Africa. We were then taken aback when xenophobic attacks against fellow black Africans by South Africans took place with a lot of foreigners loosing their lives and properties. This was somehow stopped and normalcy prevailed.

Fast forward to 2015, we were met once again with attacks on black foreigners by South Africans in the major cities and towns. It seems the police is not doing much to curb and control the situation as shops owned by foreigners are looted and burnt with a number of these foreigners loosing their lives.

My question is, is this how South Africa repays the rest of Africa for helping them get rid of the appartheid regime? What have we done wrong to deserve these barbaric acts? Other African countries can also retaliate by expelling the South African envoys, boycotting South African owned businesses etc etc.

I see these attacks as afrophobic and not xenophobic because only black African foreigners are being attacked. God save our brothers and sisters in South Africa. Those behind these attacks must be found and dealt with. These are crimes akin to war crimes and i hope the ICC is watching. The indictment should come fast for whoever made statements to incite these afrophobic attacks to be hauled before the ICC to face the full rigours of the law.  

Well Done, Nigeria

The world is full of uncertainties as we all know. Several countries have been bedeviled with chaos and conflicts at certain times and in all these cases the civilian population bears the brunt of those in power and those fighting to kick them out. Women and children are the most vulnerable when in times of conflict. The African continent is no exception to these upheavals as in several African countries there is chaos and confusion before, during and after general elections.

The Ivory Coast went through such an experience when the incumbent President, Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept the outcome of their general elections and accused the opposition led by Alhassane Outarra of rigging the elections. This further degenerated into a conflict with both sides committing atrocities. Gbagbo had to be forced out and he is now at the International Criminal Court in the Hague facing trial for war crimes.

Whenever there is going to be an election in any African country, the whole world especially the International Community watch with skepticism as to what will happen before, during and after the elections. Some investors tend to relocate their valuable investments from that country after assessing the situation to see whether there will be chaos and confusion after the results have been announced. It is also very rare in Africa for an opposition party to win an election as the ruling party abuses the power of incumbency to the fullest to win the elections. But Nigeria proved the whole world wrong as the opposition party, the APC defeated the ruling party, the PDP for the first time since independence in the 2015 general elections in Nigeria.

It came as no surprise as it happened in Ghana during the 2000 general elections when the opposition NPP defeated the ruling NDC and there was a peaceful transfer of power. Nigeria also picked up from there as the defeated incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan called the newly elected president, Muhammadu Buhari to concede defeat and congratulate him. This single act put the doom sayers to shame as most of the international media were just ready to report anything negative as a result of the outcome of the elections.

Nigerians have really shown maturity and the chairman of the INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega must be highly commended for remaining calm and cool in going about his work. I will like to take this opportunity to wish the new Nigerian  President elect, His Excellency General Muhammadu Buhari all the best in ruling Nigeria.  The world will be shifting their attention to Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Togo, where elections will be held later this year. Lets pray and hope for peaceful, free and fair elections in these countries. I pray and hope all Nigerians will join hands with his government and chart a new course for the country. God bless Nigeria, God bless Africa. Well done, Nigeria, from Ghana, we say "ayeekoo".