Germany deserves credit for handling migrant crisis

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By Jonathan Tabalanga

The world has over the past few weeks witnessed an overflow of migrants from Syria, Libya, Eritrea and Afghanistan into Europe.  This migrant phenomenon will definitely change the course of European history.

Whereas other European states have been cautious in opening their borders to these migrants, Germany, the biggest European economy, has led by example in accepting hundreds of thousands of migrants into its territory. By the end of 2015, Germany is expected to be home to 800,000 migrants.

Germany extended this gesture to the migrants after recognizing that the Dublin regulations are untenable and therefore decided to process all asylum applications from Syria regardless of where they crossed into Europe.

According to the Dublin regulation, the first EU member state into which a refugee crosses is responsible for the person’s asylum application.  Hungary, Greece and Italy have been the main entry points of these migrants.  However, Greece for example  has since 2009 been  experiencing internal economic challenges which  it is still grappling with and therefore views this migrant crisis as a distraction to its efforts in stabilizing the economy. Hungary on the other hand, does not possess the capacity to register and house hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers.

The Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, called it a Germany problem since it was the preferred destination for those arriving in Europe. In my opinion, I think it is not a Germany problem but rather a European problem which requires urgent and concerted attention.  Germany’s show of humanism for the migrants ought not to be taken for granted by other European states that are still not decided on how best they could handle the crisis.   Although some are willing to help, they are fearful of the negativity that will be generated by allowing into their countries people they view as a threat to their wellbeing since more migrants means more public spending.

Despite the increasing pressure particularly from political allies in the Christian Social Union (CSU), which has ruled Bavaria, Germany's wealthiest state for nearly 60 years, Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel should be commended for opening Germany borders to those in need.

According to the 2014 Germany government figures, the country is already home to 10.9 million migrants out of its 81.1 million population. This shows that Germany has got a record of welcoming migrants to its shores.

Countries like Sweden, France and Italy deserve special mention as they have been directly affected by this crisis. Germany and other countries like Sweden, Austria, Italy, and France should be joined by the entire membership of the EU in finding a lasting solution to this migrant crisis.

Quotas have been proposed by the EU president, which the Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel referred to as an important first step. But the proposals have come under serious criticism and this has exposed divisions within the EU. Czech Republic, Poland, Romania have for instance openly opposed the mandatory Quotas.

Divisions in the EU on how to manage and solve the migrant crisis are not bound to end unless a comprehensive strategy is sought to solve this problem once and for all.

In my opinion, the EU should focus more on ensuring the restoration of peace and security in countries where these migrants are coming from, especially Syria and Libya. Peace and security are cardinal issues when it comes to stability and development. This would ultimately lead to a reduction in the numbers of migrants fleeing to Europe.  Diplomatic measures should be sought, rival groups in the volatile Syria and Libya should be encouraged to reach out to each other with the hope of them sitting on the same table to make peace. 

One of the measures proposed by the EU is helping the economies of the countries in the Middle East and Africa and to deter people smugglers. This is not bad an idea, but my question would be how? Syria is in its current state a failed state and Libya is extremely politically insecure.

Therefore, whereas helping the economies of the Middle East and African countries is important, peace and stability must be achieved first.

The writer is international relations analyst