Why African Leaders Need a Needs Analysis

Earlier in September 2015, European Commission President presented a comprehensive package of proposal which is meant to help in addressing refugee crisis. The package includes a proposal to initiate €1.8 billion EU Trust Fund for Africa among 6 other proposals. The aim is to improve stability and address root causes of irregular migration flows in some regions of the continent of Africa. The Fund will support these regions to develop better socio-economic opportunities and migration management policies.

On Monday 28 September 2015 I was guest of the programme Newshour of TV Continental News to discuss this EU policy direction for Africa, its possible impact and strategic importance on better socio-economic opportunities and migration management policies.

Here are some of the reactions:

Marcel Vandamme This trust funds are useless. How much funds did they alraedy get? Billions and nothing is changing. Why? Because never there is a “Comte Rendue”! This are blanco cheques and we know where the big part is going to… As long as we dont dont get the transparency of what really is realised and how the money was divided, funds are useless. By the way, this handouts given by countries or big organisations are not more than a guaranty to protect their own interests in this countries. Migration management? They are happy that this refugees are leaving their countries and closes their eyes for the criminals arranging that “migration”. Money dont solve the problem, action does! Yes something has to be done but money is not the cure

Gboyega PapaGee Akerele May your wealth of inspiration never run dry my dear brother and friend Hon. Collins Nweke; I definitely will watch the program…in the very words of the Icon, the legendary Tony Allen in his song ”Boat-Journey”….our dear brothers in the process of running away from poverty and misery, they ended up even in more misery…..its better they think twice before they embark on the boat journey….

Onyekachukwu Ogbu Africans are not relying on the western world grants or handouts, they force their aids on us with the barrel of the gun, the wars in Africa can speaks tells it all, Africans don’t need western aids, we are better off with partnership, trade relationships not handouts, Europe America should stop this evil of economic slavery of the 21st century!!!!! thank you ogbu

Sabrina Flückiger-Strotmann it’s a bit cynical that the west only starts addressing these serious issues now that the refugees knock on our doors, but essentially I believe it’s the right way to push economy and peace and education right where people suffer, so they don’t even have to leave their homeland…

Augusta Uvv Lateness is bad but not showing up at all is worst. With all due appreciation for this interesting topic, the issue of transparency and accountability of the use of this fund remain questionable. EU, America, China, Japan, etc. claim to have released these types of funds to Africa in the past and yet, no desired result achieved thus far. I think it is also interesting to publish the names of the particular countries in Africa who actually received it, the persons/organisations to whom the fund has been entrusted and a follow-up of the use of the fund. You can’t plant a tree, ignore it, and come back years later to see if it bears the desired fruits

Watch the full TVC interview here