Cameroonians Among Victims as Migrant Boat Sinks: A Deadly Escape from Failed Leadership

The 56-person inflatable boat, which set off from Tunisia, began taking on water shortly after departure, leading to yet another tragedy at sea. Italy’s coastguard and police managed to rescue 10 survivors—six men and four women—who recounted how some passengers fell overboard into the rough waves, never to be seen again.

This latest disaster comes as another 40 migrants landed in Lampedusa on Wednesday, adding to the 213 migrants already at the island’s overcrowded reception center after multiple landings on Tuesday.

Why Are Africans Fleeing Their Homeland?

The continuous wave of African youth risking their lives on perilous journeys to Europe is not a mere accident—it is a direct result of corrupt leadership, economic mismanagement, and decades of failed governance across the continent.

1. The Dictators Who Never Leave

Many of the migrants fleeing Africa come from countries ruled by leaders who have clung to power for decades, suppressing opposition and suffocating democratic institutions.

• Cameroon’s Paul Biya has been in power for over 40 years, presiding over an economy that provides few jobs and a regime that crushes dissent.
• Mali has faced repeated military coups, while Ivory Coast struggles with political instability despite its economic potential.
• Gambia, though freed from the grip of former dictator Yahya Jammeh, remains economically fragile.

These leaders amass wealth while their populations struggle—forcing young people to take desperate measures in search of a future elsewhere.

2. No Jobs, No Opportunities, No Hope

Even in countries that boast economic growth, the wealth remains concentrated among the elite, leaving millions unemployed or underpaid.

• Cameroon’s youth unemployment rate hovers around 30%, with graduates driving motorcycles (benskin) instead of working in their fields of study.
• In Mali and Ivory Coast, limited industrialization and heavy reliance on raw exports mean few jobs are created beyond subsistence farming.
• The informal sector dominates, offering no security, no benefits, and no hope for a stable future.

Without job opportunities, thousands of young Africans see no alternative but to risk death at sea in pursuit of a better life in Europe.

3. Corruption and the Looting of National Wealth

While ordinary Africans struggle, corrupt politicians and their families live in obscene luxury.

• State funds meant for infrastructure, education, and healthcare are looted and stored in Swiss bank accounts.
• Massive government contracts are handed to cronies, with little benefit to the people.
• Basic services remain dysfunctional, from electricity to clean water, despite billions in foreign aid and natural resources.

The result? A continent rich in resources but poor in development, leaving young people no choice but to flee.

Europe: A Dangerous and Often Deadly Mirage

For those who manage to survive the treacherous Mediterranean crossing, a harsh reality awaits:

• Many are deported upon arrival.
• Those who stay end up in detention centers, living in inhumane conditions.
• Racism, police brutality, and lack of work opportunities make life in Europe far from the dream they imagined.

Yet, despite these dangers, the number of African migrants continues to rise—a testament to the absolute failure of governance back home.

African Governments Must Be Held Accountable

It is time to stop blaming migration solely on human traffickers or Western policies. The real blame lies with African leaders who have turned their nations into prisons of poverty and hopelessness.

• Instead of stealing elections, invest in job creation.
• Instead of looting resources, develop industries and infrastructure.
• Instead of clinging to power, allow democratic transitions that bring fresh leadership.

Until these issues are addressed, the Mediterranean will continue to be a graveyard for Africa’s youth—victims not just of the sea, but of their own governments.