A CASE STUDY OF ROOT CAUSES OF MIGRATION AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

From the time immemorial, people moved from one place to another, region and country in the quest for survival and for better living conditions. The complexity and asymmetric nature of the contemporary global system have made the concept of migration a bit different from the usual movement of the people from one place to another. The movement of people from the global South to the global North are rooted in the push and pull factors, which are the reasons why people leave their countries to other countries and why some people want to go to other countries. The two factors are deep-rooted in environmental, economic, security, social and political grounds.

Fundamentally, the current political unrest, civil wars and violation of human rights in different parts of the globe was exemplified as one of the major reasons why a great number of people in the North-African states migrated to Europe during the Arab-spring in 2010, and current states of insecurity, political unrest in Syria, Sudan and cum-economic crisis in Venezuela has led thousands of people to flee these countries[i]. Natural disasters such as the deadly earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010[ii], drought, flooding, poverty and pollution of different kinds have evidently shown as causes of migration, while safety and social factors could also act as the root causes of international migration. It is often argued that migration from developing countries is motivated by poverty, people flee violence or poverty because leaving is desirable to staying. However, there are people in low-income countries that travel to other countries for adventure and pleasure purposes. Such motivations are usually associated with the mobility of privileged groups but not usually expressed[iii].

In addressing the root causes of the incessant migration crisis across the globe that have forced millions of people to flee their homes for the universal desire for a better life. Economic and developmental policies that could alleviate the pervasive level of poverty of low-income countries via investment in the people and providing conducive playgrounds for businesses to thrive are inevitable solutions. It is not a gainsaying that peace, security and good governance are essential for the economic development of any given country, it is on this note that governments across the globe need to reinforce the essence of good governance and common responsibility of all nations in protecting our common heritage (Earth).

 In the same vein, social-welfare for the unemployed youths, ageing and other vulnerable people in the society is critical in addressing the root causes of migration. The rural-urban migration can also be tackled by employing inclusive developmental strategies that suit the local needs of the people for effective implementation and management of such developmental projects rather than using the westernized approaches often adopted in many instances in sub-Saharan African countries, which often fail in no time because peculiarities attached to the people cultures are not totally incorporated in designing the growth and developmental packages. The 21st century has witnessed an increased number of people that migrate from African countries to South Europe nations through Mediterranean sea in the quest for a better life and peace, which essentially made the inevitable of the South European nations a strategic terrain for African youths dwell.

To sum up, migration is inevitable in this contemporary globalized system, however, the pressing pull and push factors, such as economic, political, security, social and environmental issues causing migration and complex humanitarian crisis across the globe can be addressed through inclusive governments, global governance and sustainable development.

[i] Archbishop John C. Wester, People of God, August 2017

[ii] Archbishop John C. Wester, People of God, August 2017

[iii] Jørgen .C & T. Cathrine. Root causes and drivers of migration Implications for humanitarian efforts and development cooperation. Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), 2016