Europe is currently confronting a mass migration crisis. People from Libya, Somalia, Eritrea, Syria, and other African including Middle Eastern countries are seeking refuge. The root of this refugee crisis is because of Western military intervention. The Arab Spring was not a freedom struggle, but a series of regime changes that did not alter the structure of authoritarian governments. NATO's attack on Libya caused much chaos and disorder. The AU mission in Somalia has induced more instability. The US assists with counter terrorism measures in Somalia only adding to human suffering. Syria is a target for western military intervention, while simultaneously confronting a civil war. The people living in war zones have no choice but to flee. The West which is responsible for exacerbating these conflicts, now chooses not to take responsibility. At this point the EU countries have to act with the thousands of deaths of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea. Their solution is not a humanitarian one, but this is going to result in sending migrants back to war zones.
The deterioration of stable governments started in Tunisia. This was the birth place of the Arab Spring. These uprisings induced instability and western military intervention. Qaddafi's Libya was a major target for removal, because of its long opposition to western imperialism. The US, UK, and France armed Islamist rebels, even though they did not have direct control of them. The Gulf monarchies did the same. Subsequently, Libya descended into ethnic strife and chaos. From 2011 to present Libyans en mass were crossing the Mediterranean and reaching Lampadusa Island. Others were making their way to Sicily and from there to the Italian mainland. These crossings were receiving little press coverage. Italy had to bear the burden holding refugees escaping Islamist militia violence.
These are the migration routes taken from North Africa
When Qaddafi was in power his government was stopping the flow of immigration. Libya was providing jobs and economic assistance to other African nations. Sudan was for example a major trade partner with Libya. Libya was now in ruins and could not contribute economically to other African nations, due to internal struggles. There are now two rival power struggles in the country.One is based in Benghazi and other in Tripoli. Libya was once a stable country, but now it is no longer a suitable place to live.
Syrians are leaving their native land also due to war. The refugees are heading to Italy, France, and the UK. The initial phases of the civil war saw Turkey opening its borders to fleeing Syrians. Turkey has been a pathway for migrants to make their way to Europe through Bulgaria. The West intends to remove Bashir Al-Assad from power by arming "moderate opposition" to the regime. Arming multiple factions in the conflict will only create more migration. What was done to Libya will soon be done to Syria. The country is facing balkanization which means violence will continue. Then there are the complications in regards to ISIS activity in both Syria and Iraq. ISIS is active in the northern part of Syria, forcing people to flee. This push factor of military conflict cannot be ignored. The EU countries and the United States are using humanitarian intervention to advance particular foreign policy objectives. The main goal is to make Arab governments compliant with European and American interests. Syria refuses to do so and is now under pressure from major world powers.
Somalia and Eritrea have similar issues in regards to populations fleeing conflict. Since the fall of Said Barre in 1991, Somalia has not had a stable government. The country like Syria has gone through a balkanization process. Internal strife attracted military intervention by the US in 1993. The US continues involvement on the basis that it is fighting the War on Terror. Al-Shabab has been used as a justification for long term military action. The African Union has attempted to command most of the military missions, but this has been met with criticism. Kenyan and Ethiopian troops have been accused of various abuses within Somalia. It has been postulated that the attack on the Westgate Mall in Kenya was retaliation for the country's involvement in Somalia. Not only does Somalia have to confront foreign occupying forces, but food insecurity. Around 2008, Somalia faced its worse famine . It still remains insecure in terms of food production.
The migration routes are extremely dangerous. Migrants must cross the Sahara Desert and then make their way across the Mediterranean Sea. The boats that are constructed are not strong enough for sea travel. Many have either drowned or died in the Sahara.
Eritrea has relatively poor relations with its Ethiopian neighbor. The country has been ruled since 1993 by one man known as Isaias Afewerki. He has been the first and only president of Eritrea. The political atmosphere of the country is oppressive, making many Eritreans leave. Theses East African states are developing countries and their is little economic opportunity. Recently there were border clashes between Ethiopia and Somalia. It is unknown how Eritrea will alter certain outcomes in the Horn of Africa. Besides wars being waged in East Africa, other migrants are leaving from other regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. Ghana, Nigeria, Mali and Niger are major routes to the journey to Europe. This crisis developed from both regional conflicts that were simultaneously exacerbated by military intervention by the West.
The EU countries are now trying to deny responsibility for the deaths. The new excuse is that this is the work of human traffickers. The sudden spike in migration EU officials claim is due to this criminal activity. While there is an truth to this statement, it ignores the effects of NATO involvement in North Africa. Arming various groups to advance political agendas has created waves of migrant populations forced to flee. Italy and Greece will have to rescue most of the migrant populations, due to its geographic proximity. The EU has devised a solution . This is not a solution, but another geopolitical maneuver. The EU will target human traffickers by means of military force. That means there will be increased naval presence in the Mediterranean Sea. This is not designed to save refugees, but turn them back to their country of origin. This will also prevent any North African nation from having control of the Mediterranean Sea. Establishing naval supremacy in the region guarantees western supremacy over the African continent. The root of the problem is based on the fact the West wants to impose hegemony over African and Asian countries. The result will be more mass immigration and refugee migration than Europe can handle. It is clear that this will not stop anytime soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment