Greenpeace Africa expresses its deep «sadness» and «indignation» at the disappearance of several boats of migrants from Senegal. According to Agence France Presse, a pirogue set off from Kafountine on 23 June and carrying a potential 200 people is being searched by Spanish relief. Two other boats carrying 120 people are also lost in sight, according to the NGO Caminando Fronteras.
Due to the scale of the extraction and neo-colonial exploitation of the continent’s resources, some young Africans, without work and livelihoods, are taking extreme risks for a better life, according to the organisation. Greenpeace Africa says that “the anarchic and irresponsible exploitation of natural resources in Africa, often led by foreign companies, has devastating consequences on local communities, the environment and marine ecosystems in particular.”
Foreign industrial trawlers and fish meal industries are particularly problematic, as they destroy the environment, deplete fish stocks, deprive artisanal fishermen of their livelihoods and contribute to the economic distress that drives many people to take enormous risks on perilous journeys in search of a better life.”, reads the press release released on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
Dr Aliou Ba, Head of the Greenpeace Africa Ocean Campaign, said: This is terribly disturbing news and we extend our deepest condolences to the families of those on board these ships. The unsustainable exploitation of Africa’s marine and land resources is often facilitated by unfair agreements and neo-colonial practices. These patterns of exploitation exacerbate socio-economic inequalities, leading many to despair and illegal emigration. And the borders of Europe make this situation terribly dangerous. Too many young Africans have disappeared in this adventure. It is high time that these neocolonial practices stopped and that the African authorities urgently develop sustainable development policies that can create hope and sustainable jobs to stop this bleeding.”
