Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

Police in Italy’s northern region of Lombardy have confiscated assets worth over one million euros from an Egyptian man involved in selling fake documents to help immigrants, mainly asylum seekers, get stay permits. On May 23, 2024, Italian authorities seized about 1.5 million euros in assets from a 37-year-old Egyptian man, who has been detained for over six months. The suspect was arrested in early December for allegedly providing fake documents that claimed to offer hospitality to immigrants, helping them get stay permits. He is currently held in Piacenza. The investigation showed that the man, along with his 25-year-old wife,…

An Africa MEDIAta report presented in Rome on May 23 highlighted the vast untapped potential of the African continent, emphasizing that Africa is not merely a source and victim of problems. The fifth edition of this report, curated by the Pavia Observatory, critiques the Italian media for its persistent portrayal of Africa as “lacking in hope and filled with problems” despite the “profound, unstoppable, and revolutionary” changes occurring across the continent. The Italian branch of AMREF Health Africa, presenting the report, underscored that young Africans, particularly young women, are striving towards a sustainable future. This presentation, timed just before Africa…

Recent figures reveal a concerning trend in Afghan migration to the UK, with nearly as many Afghans arriving irregularly across the English Channel as through official routes in the year leading up to March. A total of 5,662 Afghans made the perilous journey across the Channel during this period, while an additional 350 arrived via insufficiently documented air arrivals, totaling 6,012 individuals. Notably, 758 unaccompanied Afghan minors applied for asylum after crossing the Channel, making Afghans the most common nationality among unaccompanied children seeking asylum. In parallel, 6,042 Afghans were resettled in the UK under official government schemes following the…

Cyprus has announced plans to join a coalition of European Union countries advocating for the establishment of safe zones in Syria to facilitate the return of refugees who fled the conflict. This initiative comes as Cyprus faces an influx of migrants, with over 1,000 people, primarily Syrians, arriving on its shores from Lebanon since April. The proposal, supported by at least eight EU countries, aims to redefine Syria’s status in certain areas to manage the migrant crisis effectively. Cypriot Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou emphasized the urgency for the EU to reconsider its stance after 13 years of Syrian conflict. While…

Since the beginning of 2024, more than 52,000 migrants have attempted to leave Tunisia for Europe, according to Tunisian Interior Minister Kamel Feki. This significant exodus, primarily involving migrants from Tunisia and other African and North African countries, underscores the ongoing crisis in the region. Many of these attempts have been intercepted by Tunisian authorities, but hundreds have tragically lost their lives at sea. Speaking at the ‘Arab Forum to Stop Migrant Trafficking and Promote Safe and Regular Migration Pathways’ in Tunis on May 22 2024, Feki reported that 52,972 people have attempted maritime crossings this year, with 92 percent…

The charges against crew members of the ship Iuventa, operated by the German NGO Jugend Rettet, along with personnel from Save the Children and Doctors Without Borders (MSF), were found to be baseless, according to a recent court ruling. The Italian court acquitted all defendants last month, stating that the NGOs had not committed any crime nor cooperated with people smugglers during their rescue operations in the Mediterranean. The court’s detailed reasons for judgment, released on May 23rd 2024, revealed that the investigators had not thoroughly evaluated all available evidence. The preliminary hearings judge criticized the focus on certain elements…

Munera Mokgoko’s recollections of the hopeful days under Nelson Mandela’s leadership are faint, but as South Africa braces for elections, she witnesses profound shifts. Her husband, Idi Rajebo, hailing from Tanzania, grapples with the harsh realities faced by migrants in South Africa. In the aftermath of apartheid, Mandela’s vision painted South Africa as a harmonious rainbow nation, fostering unity among people of varied backgrounds. However, present-day sentiments reveal growing hostility towards immigrants among many South Africans. Rajebo’s story epitomizes the struggles endured by migrants seeking a brighter future. Rajebo’s journey from Tanzania to Johannesburg was fueled by hope for better…

In the bustling heart of Denver, Colorado, amidst the towering skyscrapers and busy streets, there exists a beacon of hope, a sanctuary for those seeking asylum. It’s called the Denver Asylum Seeker Project (DASP), a remarkable endeavor driven by the compassionate spirits of Sara Plastino and Jon Ewing. Together, they’ve embarked on a noble journey to provide unwavering support and solidarity to those navigating the arduous path toward safety and stability. The origins of DASP can be traced back to the shared commitment of Sara and Jon to address the urgent needs of asylum seekers in the Denver area. Motivated…

In a deeply troubling act of vandalism, a monument boat dedicated to migrants in Crotone, Calabria, was set ablaze by unknown individuals at dawn on May 20. This incident has sparked widespread condemnation from local authorities and organizations. The monument, named San Nikolaus and installed in Parco Pitagora, was created by artist Massimo Sirelli. It was originally a makeshift boat used by a group of 12 migrants who arrived in Crotone in March 2020. Sirelli transformed this wreck into a vibrant symbol of hospitality and life, painting it with hundreds of polka dots in twelve different colors, each representing one…

The German humanitarian organization Sea-Eye has announced the rescue of 52 migrants in the central Mediterranean Sea. The operation, conducted by the Sea-Eye 4 vessel, took place in the Maltese search and rescue zone on the evening of May 20th 2024. Two of the rescued individuals required immediate medical attention. Following the rescue, the Sea-Eye 4 is en route to the Italian port of Ravenna, with an estimated arrival on Saturday, May 25. This docking will mark the eleventh such event involving NGO ships since December 31, 2022. The Italian authorities have designated Ravenna as the disembarkation port, despite its…