{
  "id": 12268654,
  "title": "Why do they keep crossing? Africa, Europe and long history behind migration",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/why-do-they-keep-crossing-africa-europe-and-long-history-behind",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T23:58:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/why-do-they-keep-crossing-africa-europe-and-long-history-behind-migration/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Mediterranean Sea does more than separate two continents; it symbolizes a historical connection between Africa and Europe. This link has been formed over centuries, with consequences that persist to this day. While some individuals cross borders with valid travel documents, others do so out of desperation, with few alternatives available. On July 30, 2026, thousands of people sought to enter Ceuta, a Spanish territory located on the northern African coast, in large numbers. Spanish authorities reported that anywhere between 50,000 and 60,000 individuals crossed the border illegally during this period. This event followed a ruling by the Spanish Supreme Court that allowed for the immediate rejection of individuals arriving by sea at the border. In response, Spain and Morocco have strengthened their collaboration to curb future crossings. Ceuta, despite being situated in Africa, is politically a part of Spain and the European Union. Its border represents more than just a physical line dividing two states; it embodies a deeper historical relationship between two continents. The pressing question goes beyond the reasons why people attempt to enter Europe. Instead, it focuses on why Europe continues to hold such an appealing allure that individuals are prepared to risk their lives to reach it. Contemporary migration cannot be attributed solely to colonialism. Africans migrate for a variety of reasons, including job opportunities, education, family reunification, conflict, insecurity, political conditions, environmental pressures, and personal aspirations. Moreover, migration within Africa is also a significant factor. However, history plays a crucial role. European colonialism had a profound impact on African economies, reshaping their structures in favor of extracting and exporting primary commodities. The construction of roads and railways often facilitated the transport of agricultural or mineral products to ports and external markets rather than fostering integrated domestic economies. World Bank historical studies have highlighted the extent to which colonial economies relied on a limited range of primary commodities and external markets. This economic arrangement was not merely financial; it also influenced the types of commodities produced, the location of infrastructure, labor organization, and the realization of value generated by production. The Congo Free State, under King Leopold II, serves as a striking example. The territory was subjected to forced labor and violent extraction, particularly for rubber and ivory. Forced labor was legally sanctioned, and coercive measures were employed to ensure production. However, Leopold's Congo should not be viewed as a generalized representation of every African nation or every European colonial experience. Colonial rule varied significantly across the continent. Instead, the more pertinent point is that colonial economies frequently linked African land, labor, and resources to European markets on terms that prioritized extraction and external trade. Contemporary scholarship continues to investigate the long-term consequences of these structures. For instance, research on colonial cash-crop economies has revealed that colonial production and infrastructure established enduring patterns of economic organization. While the advantages of these systems were often concentrated geographically, domestic production connections remained weak. The key question, therefore, is not whether colonialism alone led to contemporary African migration. Rather, it is whether a history where Europe played a significant role in shaping African economies also contributed to the unequal relationship that underpins today's migration patterns. Another often overlooked aspect of migration is language. French is widely spoken across much of West and Central Africa, Portuguese is an official language in several African states, and English is prevalent in countries with ties to the British Empire. These linguistic connections are not mere coincidences; they are a result of colonial rule creating institutional, educational, and administrative links that have endured since independence. These connections have subsequently evolved into migration networks. France, Belgium, Portugal, and other European nations are not arbitrary destinations for African migrants. Their ties with specific African countries have been influenced by historical factors, including colonial connections and post-war labor recruitment. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) points out that the composition of immigrant populations in several European countries still reflects colonial legacies. For example, France, Belgium, Portugal, and the Netherlands have substantial African-born populations. This situation creates more than a shared language; it fosters familiarity. A young person in an African country may have relatives in Paris, an uncle in Brussels, a former schoolmate in Lisbon, or a friend in Milan. Europe transforms from an abstract geographical destination into a place where someone they know already resides. Diaspora networks can act as social infrastructure for migration, providing information, contacts, accommodation, employment opportunities, and emotional support. While the journey may be perilous, the destination is no longer entirely unfamiliar.",
  "summary": "by Viran Maddumage Assistant Lecturer & PhD (Reading) Macquarie University Australia Sanduni Rathnayake Lecturer (Probationary) General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University The Mediterranean is not merely a border between two continents. It is also a reminder of a relationship between Africa and Europe that was built over centuries; and whose consequences have not disappeared. There […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "Europe is pouring billions into space. Can Glasgow's satellite industry keep up?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/europe-is-pouring-billions-into-space-can-glasgows-satellite-industry",
        "published": "2026-10-05T23:07:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}