Banjul, Gambia - Despite cries of alarm from European politicians over the deaths of migrants in the Mediterranean, African leaders have been silent over an issue they fear underlines their weak governance, say campaigners.
For years Libya has been a stepping stone for Africans seeking to get to Europe, fleeing conflict, economic hardship and instability often in rickety, unseaworthy vessels.
But the number of deaths has risen dramatically as boats operated by smugglers have capsized off Libya's coast, triggering alarm among European leaders seeking to halt the flow.
The UNHCR, the UN's refugee agency, estimates around 60,000 men, women and children have braved the Mediterranean so far this year in desperate efforts to reach Europe, more than 1,800 perishing in the attempt.
More than half of the 800 migrants killed in a trawler shipwreck on April 19 that sparked outrage around the world came from the Gambia, Senegal and Mali, according to estimates drawn up by those countries.
A month on, the European Union has announced controversial plans for a military operation to fight people smugglers in the Mediterranean, but there has been little focus on the issue in Africa itself.
The African Commission on Human and People's Rights has voiced concern that the deteriorating socio-economic, political and security situation in some countries was "pushing these people to embark on the migratory adventure, risking their lives".
The organisation, which met in Banjul in early May, said in a statement that it "deplores the silence of African countries" on migrant deaths, calling on the African Union "to end this scourge, and respond to the plight of these people".
AFP
