The Courier

The latest news from South Africa was not good. The unease of most commentators was clear. The image of a country that had achieved probably the most benevolent revolution of the 20th century, one rooted in humanism, forgiveness and empathy, had just been tarnished by a few groups of bullies picking at random on foreigners who were more vulnerable than themselves: African immigrants who lived alongside them in the poverty of the deprived suburbs. Worse still, the small groups of thugs that had started the violence had encouraged others to follow suit and after initially hesitating, the government was forced to deploy major resources to stop the hunt for scapegoats. 

It is as if a beautiful painting had been despoiled. Something wonderful had been tarnished.  

These awful acts of violence nevertheless triggered reflection on immigration issues. Firstly, it brought home the fact that the greatest burden of refugees from poor countries is on other poor countries. We learned that the number of Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa alone had reached three million. Also, many African countries, far poorer than South Africa, provide a home for impressive numbers of migrants from neighbouring countries. 
 
By coincidence, calm had not yet been fully restored to South Africa as ministers from the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group met to launch the ACP Observatory on Migration. The Courier reports on this. It was the occasion for some among them to call on their colleagues to adopt firm legislative measures to combat all forms of racism and xenophobia. This time such a call was not addressed to the developed countries but rather to members of the ACP family.  For those who normally give lessons on the subject to others, there was certainly cause for embarrassment.  

This issue’s ‘Dossier’ brings news from the food crisis. We learn that poor regions sometimes have many more strengths than thought. This is true of several African and Pacific countries. We also learn that there is no real shortage of food. It is efficient production and distribution that would guarantee the food security for all that is sorely missing. Above all, what is lacking is a global agricultural policy.  

Some are more aware of this situation than others. Réunion is certainly among the former. The subject of this issue’s ‘Discovering Europe’, is the driving force behind a strategy for co-development in the Indian Ocean with its neighbours; Madagascar, Mauritius, the Seychelles and the Comoros. The strategy will cover many aspects, from a common fishing fleet to climate change monitoring and free movement of companies and workers between the islands. A ray of sunshine.