Africa-Press – Cape verde. The 90 illegal immigrants who washed ashore in Boa Vista in a pirogue recently will be repatriated on special flights from Senegal, guaranteed the Minister of Family, Inclusion and Social Development, Elísio Freire, on a visit to the island
According to him, the State will comply with the legislation on foreigners so that immigrants from the West African coast are repatriated as soon as possible on special flights from Senegal. Fernando Elísio Freire left this guarantee yesterday, after visiting the Pavilhão Seixal, in the city of Sal Rei, where the 90 migrants from the West African coast are located, who washed ashore at the Morro Negro lighthouse, in the north of the island of Boa Vista, in January 15th, aboard a pirogue, 25 days after departure from The Gambia
“The State of Cape Verde will comply with the legislation and what the law on foreigners says. As you know, they are citizens who entered our country in an unauthorized manner and the repatriation process is currently underway”, he said.
In this field, Cape Verdean diplomacy through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted the countries of origin of these immigrants, especially Senegal.
“As soon as possible”
And, at the moment, as Fernando Elísio Freire assured, everything points to moving forward with the repatriation on special flights from Senegal as soon as possible, so he believes that this is the best solution.
This source warned of the need to create an interministerial commission for this type of emergency involving immigrants, given the recurrence of these events that put the country on the path of illegal and clandestine immigration.
Cape Verde, he said, must be prepared to resolve these matters as it is a country that, on the one hand, is part of the context of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), of the United Nations, and therefore has to comply with what are the international rules, as it is a country of democracy, freedom and that complies with the precepts of human dignity.
The minister also considered that Cape Verde behaved “well”, so, as he noted, the immigrants are being treated “dignified” by the Civil Protection, the National Police, and in health where there is a nurse who is daily at the Seixal pavilion.
“Now it’s up to us all to work together so that the repatriation goes as smoothly as possible”, he said, reiterating that the “success” of this reception and accommodation demonstrates that the country is fulfilling its mission.
Government to support “from the first hour”
Asked about the alert given by the national deputy of the PAICV Walter Évora, about the need to support the local council in the treatment of illegal immigrants, the same source guaranteed that the Government was present from “the first hour” and that there is a “great collaboration ” between the Government and the authorities, the central administration of the State, and local authorities, all services, entities, and institutions acted with the High Authority for Immigration, the Municipality of Boa Vista, as well as the collaboration of the International Organization of Migrations.
“The Government is naturally helping the city council, helping the island of Boa Vista in aspects where the local authority does not have the competences and dimension to assume”, he said, indicating that for this reason the Government is covering what is necessary to that the treatment of these people is as dignified as possible and the repatriation takes place in an atmosphere of “tranquility and dignity”, he concluded.
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