Clive Myrie’s piece illustrates that migration is nothing new, and that some solutions are apparent with a little effort and goodwill (The world can solve this migration crisis. A more humane approach is the answer, 10 September). Those leaving Africa for Europe today, with many dying in the Mediterranean, have the same reason that I had more than 20 years ago – poverty and a lack of opportunities. Africa is synonymous with bad government, as leaders propped up by western powers are a permanent fixture on the continent. Poor leadership creates unemployment and poverty, which leads to legal and illegal migration.
Let’s look at three countries in central Africa. According to the World Bank, 52.5% of the population in Congo-Brazzaville live below the international extreme poverty line, while over 70% in Equatorial Guinea live in poverty, and more than 45% in Cameroon live below $3.20 a day. The leaders of these countries have a combined age of over 250 years and have been in power for more than 123 years in total. These countries are blessed with natural resources, and their leaders are strong allies of the west. These strongmen have amassed obscene wealth, which is hidden in European banks and tax havens, while their people live in poverty.
