Recently, there has been a significant crackdown on illegal immigrants in various cities across Germany. This crackdown has led to the unprecedented deportation of many migrants, particularly from Africa, whose asylum applications have been rejected by German authorities. Some of these individuals had been living in Germany for over a decade, only to find their dreams of living and working in Europe shattered in an instant.

The situation has been made worse by reports that many deportees were sent back to their home countries without proper preparation and without being allowed to take their belongings. Some were allegedly arrested at midnight from their residences and taken to detention centers without being given the chance to gather their belongings. There are also accounts of individuals being taken from their workplaces by the police and deported back to their home countries.

The rise of nationalism in Europe

The rise of far-right wing parties in Europe, such as the National Rally in France, the Brothers of Italy in Italy, and the Alternative for Deutschland in Germany, has worsened the plight of asylum seekers. These parties are known for their strong anti-immigration stance, putting pressure on governments to tighten controls on illegal migration and prevent their countries from being overwhelmed by economic migrants.

Economic challenges and the refugee crisis have fueled the growth of far-right parties, especially among the populace, including younger demographics. The image of refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and other Muslim countries has further intensified the resentment towards immigration and led to the rise of nationalism in countries like Germany and France.

The rise of nationalism among the populace in places like Germany and France may not be unconnected to fear of their countries being dominated by foreigners in the future.

Consequently, the far-right wing parties performed well in the European Union Parliamentary elections, winning numerous seats and gaining more supporters. The anti-immigration slogan, coupled with the housing crisis and low economic growth, was the mantra which the far-right parties used to gain acceptance among the young voters. Their anti-immigration message resonated with many young voters, aiding them in gaining more political power.

A perilous journey through the Sahara Desert

The rise of nationalism and far-right parties with anti-immigration rhetoric in many European countries has caused fear among asylum seekers. They worry that their applications will be rejected, leading to deportation. The recent mass deportation of African migrants, including those from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Gambia, and Kenya, among others, has raised questions about the risks involved in making the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea to migrate to Europe.

It is well known that many migrants from Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gambia, and other countries embark on a dangerous journey through the Sahara desert to Libya and then attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Italy in search of a better life. Despite the dangers, including the risk of losing their lives in the Sahara or while crossing the Mediterranean, many young people see this journey as their only escape from poverty and a lack of job opportunities in their home countries. They believe that working in Europe will provide them with the means to support their families, regardless of the perils involved.

As a journalist working in a newspaper organisation in Nigeria a few years ago, I have seen young women between the ages of 17 and 22 at the Nigerian-Niger border that were arrested by Nigerian immigration. They were intercepted in communities close to the Niger border on their way to Libya and their subsequent final destination, Italy. I have written several articles about the activities of human traffickers who take young people, especially teenagers, from Nigeria to Libya and subsequently to Europe, promising them a better life only for them to be used for prostitution. The girls who were hitherto enticed by the lure of securing them a domestic job were being used as sex slaves while the human traffickers made money out of their predicament.

Human trafficking has become a means of earning a livelihood for some residents of villages and communities around the Illela axis, a border town between Sokoto and Qoni in the Niger Republic. People are being trafficked through these routes with the connivance of some youth in the villages. Some of the residents of these areas provide the necessary information and assistance to these illegal migrants by transporting them with motorcycles to the neighboring Niger Republic. This is being done in order to evade immigration officers at the Illela border, who may likely prevent them from entering the Niger Republic en route to Libya and finally to Italy and other European countries.

These migrants usually travel through the desert to Libya, which may last up to 10 days or less, depending on the weather conditions. Many of these migrants are not able to make it to Libya as they perish in the Sahara due to hunger, illness, and a lack of water. Female migrants who are unlucky are captured and used as sex slaves in Libya. Of course, quite a large number of migrants who managed to reach Libya usually engage in menial jobs in order to raise the required funds to be able to pay the amount required to cross the Mediterranean. Some of the migrants who managed to earn money through the menial jobs managed to pay the boat owners to be able to cross the Mediterranean to the island of Lampedusa in Italy.

The perilous journey is not for the faint-hearted, as thousands have lost their lives while trying to cross the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy on rickety boats. Those who survived the journey and were rescued at sea are subsequently taken to Italy and kept in refugee camps with poor living conditions. Things are no longer the same, as the economic situation in some European countries has become dire due to inflation. It is high time for young Africans to stop embarking on such dangerous journeys that will put them at risk of losing their lives. They should know that the streets of Europe are not paved with gold and that some citizens of these countries are also struggling with meeting their needs and aspirations.

With the recent European parliamentary elections leading to an increased prominence of far-right wing parties and the rise of anti-immigration rhetoric, it is clear that it is becoming increasingly difficult for asylum seekers. African youths should pursue skill acquisition to enable them to earn a decent living. African leaders must take responsibility for creating an environment that fosters job creation and curbs corruption. By doing so, they can discourage many unskilled young men from undertaking dangerous journeys to Europe in search of a better life.