From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
At Sixth International Conference on Development and Communication in Africa, themed, “Japa: Communicating Migration, Diaspora and Africa’s Development,” Andrea Stäritz, a Berlin-based activist with borderline-europe, delivered a powerful critique of the European Union’s border policies, calling them the root cause of migrants’ deaths in the Sahara and Mediterranean.
Speaking virtually, at the conference organised by the Institute of Strategic and Development Communication (ISDEVCOM), Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria on March 27 and 28, 2025, Stäritz highlighted the devastating impact of EU externalised border controls on West African migrants
He did not mince words in her address. She said: “These borders of Europe, the externalisation of borders and the border controls into North Africa, Niger, Mauritania, Senegal, these are the root cause of illegal migration, the root cause of all these deaths in the Sahara and Mediterranean,” she said.
He emphasised that migration is often a survival strategy for West Africans facing climate crises and economic challenges. “We all know West Africans are highly migratory, 424 million people, half of them Nigerians. People migrate for hibernation or to escape floods and droughts. People seek greener pastures for the cattle or themselves. West Africans are peace loving people and seek a peaceful environment for their kin. Nothing wrong about that.”
Instead, she criticised restrictive visa policies by former colonial powers as unjust barriers to freedom of movement, saying, “Wrong are the borders and the visa policies of the former colonial powers.”
Highlighting the economic contributions of migrants, she said: “Expatriates contribute extremely well to the development of their home countries. The remittance of experts far exceeds development aid, more than 60 percent goes to Nigeria and makes up close to eight percent of West Africa’s GDP.”
Stäritz also shed light on human rights abuses linked to the EU border policies and called for accountability from the EU, saying, “Borderline Europe is monitoring these human rights violations at the borders and demands accountability.”
The two-day conference organised by the ISDEVCOM, brought together over 100 scholarly papers and global partnerships to address migration and Africa’s development.
The event, held from March 27 to 28, 2025, brought together experts and stakeholders to address key issues affecting Africa’s youth and migration challenges.
A highlight of the conference was the session titled, “Empowering Africa’s Youth: Strategies for Addressing Migration.”
Distinguished panelists, including Kalada Belema Meshack-Hart, Chimdi Neliaku and Alli-Bob Cinwon, shared actionable strategies to empower young Africans and tackle migration challenges. Their insights emphasised the importance of equipping Africa’s youth with opportunities to thrive locally.
The conference also celebrated individuals making significant impacts. Chief Callistus Elozieuwa was honoured for repatriating over 170 Nigerians stranded in Ghana. Pastor Stephen Shola received recognition for his work at the Vine Heritage Home Foundation, which provides refuge to children stigmatised due to cultural beliefs surrounding twins, albinos or children born with physical deformities. These efforts highlight the importance of addressing harmful traditions and protecting vulnerable populations.