Africa urged to step up, prevent incidents like Lampedusa
(Vatican Radio) Many African governments, unable to provide peace, freedom and adequate
opportunities for work, also share in the shame associated with last week’s tragic
drowning deaths of more than 100 African migrants near Lampedusa, said Archbishop
Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel of Addis Ababa.
The Ethiopian archbishop acknowledged
the need for European governments to improve their immigration policies and refugee
appeal processes in order to safeguard human rights. However, he added, African governments
must improve the situation of their citizens, so that people do not feel the need
to risk their lives in order to escape desperate conditions.
He also urged
Africa’s youth to have the courage to remain on the continent and to work together
to improve the African reality from within. Archbishop Souraphiel was interviewed
by Vatican Radio’s Fr. Moses Hamungale. Listen to the full interview: