Oxfam's executive director Winnie Byanyima said that "repressive laws on freedom of association and speech" were "a driver of migration." REFUGEEA recent survey by CIVICUS, which monitors freedoms worldwide, found that only two African countries were fully open — the island nations of Cape Verde and Sao Tome & Principe. "Rich countries must stop repurposing aid, they must maintain aid for the conflict-affected countries. "If they help to make countries stable, to achieve inclusive growth then people will not want to leave their homes. Distressing images of African migrants being plucked from heaving seas or the coffin-strewn aftermath of major sinkings have become a regular feature of television news bulletins since the migrant crisis began spiralling out of control four years ago.

Source: Daily Nation May 06, 2017 16:30 UTC