2015-05-13 16:26:00

Libya’s ambassador to the Holy See on migrants


Libya’s ambassador to the Holy See, Dr. Mustafa Rugibani says that the Holy See has asked African ambassadors accredited to it to, “recommend to their Governments solutions that would ensure development for the people in Africa.” This is in a bid to stem the rising tragedy of migrants drowning in the Mediterranean Sea as they seek to reach the shores of Europe.

Ambassador Rugibani spoke to Vatican Radio’s Linda Bordoni Wednesday after he attended a special meeting of African ambassadors, addressed by the President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Cardinal Peter Turkson. A  joint initiative of the Pontifical Councils for “Justice and Peace” and that of “Migrants and Itinerant Peoples” has created a platform for African Ambassadors accredited to the Holy See to exchange thoughts and ideas especially on migration through the Mediterranean Sea.

Asked what he thought about the European Union’s plan to stop human smugglers by bombing and destroying vessels before they are used by traffickers, the Libyan ambassador said, “They (European Union) have not touched the problem. The problem is not the ships. It is the people who are already in Libya. You destroy this ship, they will find other ships. For human smugglers, this is a business. It is a business for organised crime and criminal gangs,” the ambassador said.

Dr. Rugibani believes that part of the solution lies in creating stability in Libya with the legitimate Government of Libya.  He has appealed especially to the Italian Government to help Libya and in particular the legitimate Libyan army restore security in his country.

“Italy must help Libya because we have common business and cultural interests. If anything happens to Libya, Italy is affected. Good security in Libya means less migrants,” he emphasised.

The Italian ambassador to the Holy See further thinks that the African Union (AU) can have a positive effect by dealing with Governments of the source countries where migrants come from.

“The African Union can add value by supporting the countries where the migrants come from,” he said.

(By Paul Samasumo)

e-mail: engafrica@vatiradio.va

Listen to Linda Bordoni speaking to Ambassador Rugibani:








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