The President of Malta has warned that southern Europe might be in danger of being populated by migrants if no action is taken on the violence happening in Niger and the Sahel region in Africa.
Recently, Emmanuel Macron announced that France would withdraw its ambassador and forces from Niger.
The move was met with satisfaction in Niger, with a Nigerian transparency advocate describing it as a “victory for the Nigerien people who fought for this”.
The decision came days before the MED9 summit in Malta, where the leaders of Italy and France, as well as other European countries, will meet to discuss how to tackle migration issues.
France and Italy will present a joint paper on tackling illegal migration in the Mediterranean.
The meeting coincides with increasing fears of instability in Niger and the Sahel region and France announcing its withdrawal.
There are concerns that migrant numbers could increase further if instability in the Sahel affects North African countries.
While talking to Politico, Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela said: “There cannot be stability in the southern neighbourhood if the Sahel is abandoned to its fate.”
The political instability in the Sahel region has been added to the meeting’s agenda.
Though the withdrawal was endorsed by many Africans, outsiders have been more cautious of the bigger implications this change will bring, for both West Africa and southern Europe.
While talking to Deutsche Welle, Ghanaian political analyst, Mutaru Mumuni Muqthtar, said it was important to consider the future of Niger which is one of the poorest countries in the world.
He said: “The jubilation will be short-lived, because the country, at the moment, does not have the capacity to propel itself to prosperity, to stability, to ensure the sustained gains against the threats that it is currently dealing with.
“The official disengagement of France would mean dire consequences for the region in terms of dealing with violent extremism.”
According to Macron, France currently has 1,500 soldiers stationed in the country to deal with the Sahel region.
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