Monday, January 29:
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
Buongiorno,
It is an honour and a privilege to be invited to deliver this keynote speech on “Migration, Mobility and Security “at the Italy-Africa Summit in this historic city of Rome today.
First, I want to congratulate the Italian Government for organising this important and timely meeting and for the warm welcome and hospitality. I also want to recognise and commend the renewed efforts by Italy’s Prime Minister, Her Excellency – Giorgia Meloni, on her efforts to inject new energy, direction, and purpose into Africa-Italy relations.
In our interconnected and hyper globalised world, we can no longer act simply as nations and instead we must think globally to find the relevant solutions for our common universal challenges and opportunities for progress and prosperity.
Today’s topic is of crucial importance not just for Italy and the European Union but for all of us. In fact, more than half of world’s migrants move between developing countries. Since the beginning to time, migration has shaped human history. There are varied motivations for why someone chooses to leave home including escaping conflict, searching for livelihood opportunities, and adventure-seeking.
It is undeniable that a significant portion of refugee and migrant movement that occurs within Africa, is primarily driven by factors such as war, poverty, and political instability. In Somalia, the push factors to migrate stems from insecurity, limited economic opportunities, and most recently, the impact of climate change which has devastated our job creating productive sectors including agriculture and livestock.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Migration from Africa to Europe in the post-World War II era contribute to reconstruction, and its significance persists today in fostering economic growth in Italy and Europe, while also ensuring the continuity of essential social services. Moreover, this movement continues to benefit the African continent through remittances, knowledge transfer, and Diaspora investment. In this mutually beneficial scenario, migration and mobility serve as avenues for shared prosperity and must be actively promoted and facilitated by enhancing the accessibility of legal routes for African citizens.
It’s deeply distressing to witness the frequent tragedies of overcrowded and unseaworthy boats capsizing, endangering the lives of migrants in search of a better future in Europe. It’s both heart-breaking and unacceptable that unscrupulous human traffickers continue to prey on the desperation of individuals seeking hope and opportunity.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentleman,
Our experience in Somalia highlights the interconnected nature of Migration, Mobility, and Insecurity, necessitating holistic solutions reinforced by robust partnerships at all levels. Our government is actively addressing these challenges through successful offensives against the weakening international terrorist group Al-Shabaab, supported by our brave and resilient people, alongside efforts focused on state-building and economic growth.
Furthermore, we recognize that effectively addressing the issue of illegal migration into Italy and Europe from Africa requires collaborative efforts. We cannot overcome this challenge alone. Establishing strong security and socio-economic partnerships with international allies is essential for accelerating progress toward our shared goal.
Accordingly, we are truly grateful for Italy’s partnership in Somalia’s security, socio-economic recovery and social sector development including education and health. These investments directly support Somalia’s recovery and sustainable development priorities which in turn lays strong foundations for a positive response to addressing insecurity, improving human capital and illegal migration in our country. However, the biggest multiplier of development remains investment and job rich growth. International research continuously shows that if a person can find decent employment and provide for themselves and their families, they will be dissuaded from making a long, dangerous and uncertain journey to seek asylum in Europe.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentleman,
Somalia is very rich in resources, and we are directly positioned on one of the busiest and most strategic trade routes in the world between the Indian Ocean and Bab El Mandab corridor.
I am optimistic about Somalia’s potential to emerge as a global leader in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, energy, and the burgeoning Blue Economy. Somalia boasts some of the world’s most abundant wind and solar power resources, coupled with a vibrant and ambitious young population eager for opportunities. Furthermore, our recent milestone of joining the East African Community has significantly expanded our trading horizons.
These factors present unparalleled opportunities for innovative business leaders to invest in and bolster our burgeoning industries. By doing so, they can not only create meaningful employment and economic opportunities but also dissuade young people from risking their lives at sea in pursuit of dreams that can be realized within our own borders.
Ladies and Gentleman
Effective International cooperation which delivers results and progressive change requires respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Africa-Italy partnership cannot and will not work if one African state can decide to break all international laws by attempting to annex the territory of another as Ethiopia has unsuccessfully attempted to do in my country. This illegal action will cause tensions, conflict and regional instability if it is not retracted. This will in turn exacerbate the migration, mobility and security challenges we are here to address together.
In conclusion,
I am eager to collaborate with my fellow African heads of states and government, as well as the Italian government, to ensure that the productive discussions held during this pivotal Africa-Italy Summit in Rome yield tangible results beneficial to both sides.
By working together, we can effectively address the root causes of illegal migration while simultaneously retaining more of our young, dynamic population in Africa. This not only aids in stemming the flow of migration but also contributes significantly to our continent’s development and prosperity.
I thank you all.
Grazie.
