With would-be migrants deaths in record numbers reminding us that the mediterranean crisis is yet to be resolved, it is evident more than ever that the approach adopted to resolve this crisis is far from resolving it. While attempting to live a life that will escape getting killed by conflict or war or the increased humanitarian disasters that develops from such absence of peace, reports of perished lives persists. The question is; what will put an end to this fatal mediterranean crossings? Recent events has shown that the abandonment of the search and rescue policy in the mediterranean sea by the European Union(EU) was far from putting an end to these risky and illegal migration and neither will any military initiative put an end to these crossings. Rather than a solution, these policies will only ensure the helpless deaths of desperate migrants who journeyed in hope for a dignified life.

The majority of the victims of the mediterranean crossing are not on such risky journey for pleasure but for peace of mind. These are people who embark on such a risky journey because their country is burning to satisfy some few. The victims of the recent mediterranean crisis are mostly nationals of Libya, Syria and Eritrea. These countries are either at war with terrorists and proxy of another country or in conflict internally. In such conditions, it will not be a surprise to see people attempting to escape such deteriorating environment in hope of a descent life. Though EU opined that these illegal migrants are product of poverty and a flourishing business of human traffickers, the truth is that; mediterranean crossings is not business as usual anymore. As conflict deteriorates and war continues, humanitarian disasters deepens and the urge to escape such degrading fate persists.

Without doubts, the solution to these fatal crossings must address the underlining cause of these tragedies on the mediterranean sea and this is neither abandonment nor open borders. The solution is inherent in resolving the domestic crisis in countries that these migrants are so determined to flee. Before, poverty and lack of opportunity are the sole motivations for migration across the mediterranean sea. Now, conflict, war and deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the absence of peace are the motivations for migration. Consequently increasing illegal migration and human trafficking across the mediterranean sea. To resolve this mediterranean crisis, the EU must revise it's policies regarding countries in the Middle East and North Africa. This is so, because EU's interference in the domestic affairs of Libya and Syria is a major trigger of illegal crossings in these two countries. Before Gaddafi's death, Libya's standard of living and life expectancy are one of the best in Africa if not the best. Under these conditions, no rational being will agree that Libyans will embark on a voyage that will mark their end when they can travel legally.

Unfortunately, these illogical interferences was founded on the pretext of promoting "democracy" which took away the peace, happiness and prosperity of the people of Libya. The death of Gaddafi has transformed Libya "democratically" from a stabilised, safe and happy country to an unstable, insecure and traumatised country. While in Syria, removing Bashar al-Assad rhetoric has led to the death of over 210,000 persons and has left millions displaced. It is disappointing to realise that EU is not prepared to accept and cope with the continuous increase in the influx of migrants from countries they destabilised in the name of promoting "democracy" and doing Washington's bid. Taking into accounts the close proximity of North Africa and Middle East to EU countries, EU must learn how not to promote destabilisation in these regions. For every single country destabilised, more illegal migrants should be expected in EU. This means more human trafficking, illegal migration and mediterranean tragedies.

The political decision makers in EU must realise that the mediterranean crisis is their own invention and must be responsible for resolving such invention. To this end, the search and rescue mission must be resumed to safe lives, all policies that seek to destabilise nations in the name of promoting democracy must be abandoned and lastly, EU must encourage internal dialogue and negotiations in these destabilised countries without neglecting its responsibility to provide logistics to concerned countries in their battle against terrorism. Taking these steps will improve humanitarian conditions in these countries that accounted for the majority of these illegal migrants and return them to the path of peace, stability and development. This will in turn discourage a huge percentage of potential illegal immigrants from embarking on these risky and fatal crossings of the mediterranean sea. Thereby, reducing the humanitarian tragedy in the mediterranean sea that have been constantly invading our consciousness.


Abiola Akintunde

The writer lives and work in Ibadan, Nigeria. He is @AAbiolat on twitter, can be reached via paulakintunde@gmail.com and blogs on www.abiolaoakintunde.