Yaguine & Fodé 2014 - Press kit

Press kit commemorations of the 15th anniversary of the discovery of

yaguine et fodé’s message

« Excellencies, members and responsible authorities of Europe, »

« we in Africa appeal to your solidarity and your kindness » « if you see that we risk our lives and sacrifice ourselves, it is because there is too much suffering in Africa.» « we want to study and ask you to help us study to become like you, in Africa »

platform in memory of Yaguine & fodé - 2014

Fonds Message de Yaguine & Fodé

table of contents 1. press release 2. commemorations schedule 3. memorandum for an active remembrance of Yaguine & FodĂŠ 4. resources and medias 5. contact -

réf.: “II Sole Dentro”, IT - 2012

Fonds Message de Yaguine & Fodé

platform in memory of Yaguine & Fodé

press release

« Excellences, members and responsible authorities of Europe, » With these words starts the letter found on Yaguine & Fodé’s dead bodies, two young Guineans hidden in the landing gear of Sabena Airlines airplane in 1999.

Fifteen years later, what has exactly changed? Fifteen years after this drama, the same problems outlined in the letter – wars, poverty, barriers to education, ineffectiveness of development aid – are still particularly severe. The recurrence of migratory tragedies to Europe and the same mistakes in terms of development aid programs raise concerns about their tragic sacrifice: it might become another useless news and not provoke the public awareness it should have raised.

In order to pay tribute to these two young victims and reactivate public interest around theses vital topics for Africa and Europe, the “Platform for Yaguine & Fodé’s Message” and its partners organize Friday 1st August a film projection “Africa Paradise” and Saturday 2nd August a Memorial day at the Embassy of Guinea and at Brussels Airport where the bodies were found.

« We in Africa appeal to your solidarity and your kindness. » Unfortunately, fifteen years after this tragic incident, not much has changed in the approach of development aid programs. This is the main reason leading to the publication of the memorandum “For an active remembrance of Yaguine & Fodé”. Recalling the guilty silence of African and European authorities, the “Framework for Yaguine & Fodé’s Message” and their partners send out a call so that the institutions finally take their responsibilities and meet their promises.

Two trends are emphasized: • t he disengagement of African governmental bodies in vital fields such as education and healthcare • the problem of disempowerment of local authorities caused by foreign interventions on African soil

commemorations of the 15nd anniversary of yaguine & fodé’s message

« Hence, if you see that we risk our lives and sacrifice ourselves, it is because there is too much suffering in Africa (…). We want to study and ask you to help us study to become like you, in Africa. » Signatories of this memorandum are calling for “the sacrifice of Yaguine & Fodé to prompt the long overdue reaction that such a socio-political tragedy deserves”. The text aims to act on two axis: reactivate the public interest around the concerns raised by Yaguine & Fodé’s letter and ensure a relevant coverage of these issues.

Concrete propositions are numerous: • Question Belgian awareness and especially Belgian youth on such issues • Review the concept and principles of development aid • Try to force Belgium and EU to make a clear statement against wars and political destabilizations on African continent • Reduce military expenditure and instead, empower the African civil society in order to make them actor of their own fate • Ensure respect of Children’s’ Rights, access to education for all and safe and good educational conditions for children and youth

Fifteen tears after the dramatic loss of Taguine & Fodé, the same news stories goes on and on: migratory tragedies to Europe, ineffectiveness and perverse effects of development aid, inadequacy between available means and field’s reality (schools without teachers to give lessons, computers but no electricity).

For an active remembrance of Yaguine & Fodé, it is more than time to answer their wish: the creation of a

« large-scale, efficient organisation for Africa so that our countries can develop ».

Fonds Message de Yaguine & Fodé

commemorations schedule

C friday 1st august 5.30 pm Opening doors at Vendôme movie theatre in Elsene From 6 pm to 7.30 pm From 7.30 pm to 8 pm

From 8 pm to 8.30 pm

Film projection of « Africa Paradise » Debate on «Is migration a crime? » chaired by Oscar Kombila from Raffia Synergies.

Cocktail, interviews.

A cappella songs by NJAVA duo - Lala & Monika.

Entrance fee C 3 € per person.

Free for children, youth and press.

Collect of signatures supporting the memorandum to be sent to European and African authorities. Texts available in French, English and Dutch.

commemorations of the 15th Anniversary of the discovery of Yaguine & Fodé’s message

C Saturday 2nd august Commemorations 11.30 am 12 am 12.20 am 12.30 am 12.40 am

Meeting at the Guinean Embassy Word from the President of Union des Femmes Africaines Word from the President of Association Djigui-Espoir Word from H.E.M. Ambassador of Guinea Exchanges

1 pm 1.30 pm 2 pm 2 pm 2.05 pm 2.10 pm 2.20 pm 2.25 pm 2.30 pm 2.45 pm

3 pm 3.10 pm 3.20 pm 3.30 pm 3.45 pm

Departure to Brussels Airport Artistic animation Minute’s silence Lecture of Yaguine et Fodé’s letter Honour song - Ange Nawasadio Welcome word from the President of Cercle Yaguine & Fodé Poem (« To the Gods of this world ») Word from the President of IDAY-International Artistic performance - Sylvie Nawasadio Communication from the President of Fonds Message Yaguine et Fodé Tale read by Maurice Boyikasse Buafomo Choir «Espérance» Word from the President of CAEB Association Choir «Espérance» Closing ceremony

Collect of signatures and distribution of cards and flowers to people

Fonds Message de Yaguine & Fodé

MeMORANDUM for an active remembrance of YAGUINE & FODé 2 august 2014

Fonds Message de Yaguine & Fodé

platform in memory of Yaguine & Fodé

memorandum

Yaguine and Fodé were found frozen to death on August 2, 1999 in the landing gear of a Sabena Airlines airplane. The two teenage Guinean boys left a letter that, 15 years later, still leaves readers with a sour taste in their mouths. The reason for its strong impact is the fact that the problems described by the young boys in this letter still exist today, and in some cases are even worse than at the time of their sacrifice. There is indeed no better word to describe the fatal voyage which they undertook fully aware of the risk, as it was clearly expressed in their letter.

If a similar tragedy had occurred in Europe, political and media awareness would have been high resulting in strong political action, at least symbolically, as well as regular media coverage on the consequences of the tragedy.

It could be argued that Yaguine and Fodé didn’t die on European soil. They surely died somewhere in the air. But over which country did they actually die? Nobody will ever know. What’s important is that their deaths are two death too many! That’s why the African and European leaders, to whom the two boys specifically addressed their letter, should be concerned about this tragedy and react accordingly.

Political leaders in Europe and Africa, as well as the media, have remained silent for 15 years while similar tragedies continue to occur. This is why on the 15th anniversary of their death, we, the member organisations of the Platform in Memory of Yaguine & Fodé, are calling for the sacrifice of Yaguine & Fodé to prompt the long-due reaction that such a socio-political tragedy deserves.

This is all the more needed that since the boys’ desperate cry for help and tragic death, initiatives to improve the quality of life for the African youth, to ensure better education systems and actual job prospects or ways to generate sustainable income, fall far short of the mark. In fact the situation is only getting worse and is causing thousands of youths each year to risk escaping misery and despair for a chance at a brighter future in Europe.

Yaguine & Fodé’s letter highlighted the horrors that continue to plague Africa: • Wars and political instabilities throughout the continent; • Disease and particularly the inefficient efforts to combat those causing high mortality and morbidity rates; • Famine; • Poverty; • Lack of proper schooling and education for children and youths; • Lack of recognition and respect for the rights of children, especially with regards to child labor, war, sexual abuse and physical and psychological violence; • Lack of opportunities for knowledge transfers, especially for students to go study abroad in high-quality educational establishments.

The solutions to these issues implemented by the African countries themselves, or proposed and supported by European countries, have proven to be shamefully ineffective and inadequate. So much so that some prerogatives and actions normally reserved for the States and Governments are currently being borne by non-governmental organisations.

for an active remembrance of yaguine & fodé The results from NGO interventions are just as disappointing. Foreign NGOs and public and private donors don’t realise that their actions are actually disempowering the local authorities which they tend to substitute.

Based on this information, the member organisations of the Platform in Memory of Yaguine & Fodé have devised the following proposals.

1.

Renewing public interest in the concerns brought up by Yaguine & Fodé

Proposal 1.1: Make the Belgian public, especially youths, aware of the issues laid out by Yaguine & Fodé.

Inform schools about Yaguine & Fodé’s letter in order to (re)raise awareness about the issues highlighted in the letter. This can be done by having it read publicly in all senior classes in high schools across the country. The letter has already been translated into Dutch and German.

Following the reading, teachers should engage their pupils in an in-depth, open discussion on the North-South relations and public development aid, with a focus on globalisation and its effects on a country’s socio-economic situation.

While this action is admittedly symbolic, it also most certainly provides the letter of Yaguine and Fodé a way into the Belgian social space with the objective that, in the long run, the people’s passion will force politicians and the media to give the letter and the sacrifice the recognition it should have received so long ago.

Proposal 1.2: Revisit the concepts and practices of public assistance towards development.

Organise a general assembly on development cooperation. This proposal, already drawn up by certain organisations of this Platform during governmental consultations in 2007 in Belgium, aims at allowing a more extensive critical analysis than what is being done during the annual conference of Belgium development cooperation, the usefulness of which remains underwhelming.

This general asssembly should involve the participation of not only political parties, public institutions, NGOs and International Solidarity Associations specialised in this subject, but also researchers, the African diaspora, stakeholders in institutional and non-institutional cooperations in Southern countries and private investors. They will report on the methods and policies implemented over the past 50 years by cooperations who are receiving foreign aid as the key to creating solutions for poor countries and examine whether or not these practices should be pursued, adapted or radically changed.

Fonds Message de Yaguine & Fodé

platform in memory of Yaguine & Fodé 2.

memorandum

Stronger consideration for the specific problems laid out in Yaguine & Fodé’s letter.

Proposal 2.1: against wars and political instability.

The European Union, and more specifically Belgium, must stand up against wars and political instability in Africa through clear and radical action: • Firmly condemn all regimes as well as groups openly identified as stakeholders, initiators or sponsors of conflicts and gross violations of human rights in Africa; international law shall be strictly applied to them (bring them to justice and demand reparations). Action is all the more urgently required in the DRC where those living in the Eastern part of the country, particularly women and children, endure violence in many forms, despite the recent neutralization of some negative forces in the region.

• End military cooperation with regimes that provide support to foreign or national negative forces.

• Foster resolutions and projects aimed at protecting ethnic, religious and national minorities in areas or countries where they are constantly in mortal danger or are victims of repression.

• The new European Parliament should add to the agenda a Committee of Inquiry focused on the circulation of weapons being sent to negative forces in Africa. This includes rebel forces in Eastern DRC (the DFLR forces aka “Hutus”; the CNDP-M23 forces; the ADFNALU forces from Uganda; and the Mbororo), military-eligious movements (Boko Haram, The Lord’s Resistance Army), and others.

Proposal 2.2: against poverty and its effects (disease, famine, food insecurity).

Disease, famine, insecurity and poverty are the main reasons why young children like Yaguine & Fodé attempt to emigrate. Poverty is the key factor that generally leads to the appearance of disease, famine, and insecurity.

National and International authorities should respond to Yaguine & Fodé’s demands by fighting against the causes of poverty and not just its symptoms, and make sure they are producing tangible and measurable results. Positive results will follow if this is achieved.

Poverty remains a major reason why African children are unable to have access to or remain in school; according to UNESCO, poverty accounts for 45% of drop outs.

Without making assumptions about the ability of certain involved public authorities or jumping to conclusions about the results of ongoing policies for the fight against poverty, it is clear that poverty is only increasing in Africa and that the Human Development Index (HDI) value is decreasing.

An article dated July 7, 2014 in the UN annual report reveals that Sub-Saharan Africa is far from reaching the Millennium Development Goals set for 2015: “Sub-Saharan Africa appears to be very isolated according to the UN report […]. It’s the only region in the world that experiences a consistent rise in extreme poverty on its own soil. More than 410 million Africans are living on less than 1.25

for an active remembrance of yaguine & fodé dollars per day, while in 1990 this number was only 290 million. Famine shows to be decreasing, yet malnourishment is on the rise in certain sections of the population such as young children.”

The Platform in Memory of Yaguine & Fodé therefore recommends: • significantly reducing the budget allocated to military cooperation; • reinforcing the role of African civil society organisations as key players in helping populations enjoy basic human rights, particularly by reinforcing their ability to advocate for public authorities to fulfill their responsibilities; • investing in socioeconomic recovery initiatives of local stakeholders and strengthening their ability to design, carry out and manage investment projects; • that local and foreign authorities ensure that private companies and businesses in Africa pay the appropriate taxes to local governments and/or strictly comply with the Global Compact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by contributing to the improvement of the people’s quality of life and strengthening local human capital; • strengthening local human capital, particularly through the improvement of social services; • that, regarding the fight against famine and food insecurity, the economic partnership agreements be revised to include, as a priority: the expansion of subsistence agriculture and the development of food product sales across Africa; the establishment of school gardens containing plants of high nutritional value as well as medicinal plants used for a large-scale fight against the main pandemics; • the creation and reinforcement of a system of medical cooperation staffed mainly with professionals from the African Diaspora practicing in Europe; increasing the use of traditional medicine treatments, particularly by adopting methods based on field observations (evidence-based medicine – reverse pharmacology).

Proposal 2.3: respect for children’s rights along with proper education and schooling for children and youths.

Fighting for children’s rights largely means putting an end to child labor, sexual abuse and wars. In numerous African countries many children and youngsters are working instead of going to school.

This is for instance the case of the children stuck working agricultural jobs necessary for the survival of rural families, those working at businesses and the girls tasked with domestic chores in their own family. In addition to them, there are unknown numbers of children who work as household servants and are therefore unable to complete primary education. A rough estimate puts the number at around several hundreds of thousands across the continent, half of whom are supspected to be illiterate or neo-illiterate. These children remain largely overlooked by the authorities.

The great distances to the few schools that do exist in rural areas and the high cost of school supplies contribute to the exclusion of many young children from attending school.

Only 18% of African children have access to official pre-school education, compared to the 50% global average and 85% in developing countries in 2011. Thirty million primary school-aged children in Africa are not in school, making up 96% of out-of-school children in the world. On average, only

Fonds Message de Yaguine & Fodé

platform in memory of Yaguine & Fodé

memorandum

2/3 of the African children who start primary school will finish it. The transition rate into secondary school is also insufficient; only 70% of students who finish primary school will continue to secondary school. In 2011, the number of out-of-school adolescents in Africa was estimated to be around 12 million.

The number of illiterate African children continues to rise at an alarming rate of more than 1 million per year.

The trend of using child soldiers is an atrocity that persists in Africa and that seriously needs to be brought to an end. Even though the International Criminal Court (ICC) deems this practice a war crime, to date, no sufficient penalty system has affected the countries involved. This exploitation of children continues to go unpunished with no regard for the rules of international law or for the rights of children. Boys and girls (40%) are recruited for combat, sexual purposes or as spies, messengers, transporters or servants. Some are also made to place or remove landmines. Africa accounts for the largest number of child soldiers; the current number stands at around 350,000 children, some of whom are barely nine years old.

The Platform firmly recommends: • supporting fair and inclusive economic growth to give families the opportunity to educate their children and not depend on their labor for survival; • rigorously enforcing laws that forbid child labor before 14-16 years of age, according to national legislations. This standard should also be applied to the many children who are made to work agricultural jobs necessary for the survival of rural families and especially to girls who are made to take on their families’ household chores; • making a plea to African governments to get them to invest a sufficient amount in education, especially basic education (pre-school initiation, vocational literacy, etc.); • enforcing free basic education in order to encourage parents to send their children, boys and girls alike, to school; • imposing punishments that discourage the recruitment of children as soldiers and reinforcing rehabilitation programs for former child soldiers through specialised support.

for an active remembrance of yaguine & fodé ________________________________________

Signatories of this Memorandum Platform in Memory of Yaguine & Fodé • • • • • • • • •

Funds Message de Yaguine et Fodé African Axis Cercle Yaguine et Fodé Conseil des Communautés Africaines en Belgique (CCAEB) Djigui asbl IDAY-International aisbl Union des Femmes Africaines Raffia Syngeries Les petits anges de Guinée

Other Platforms and Associations • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Colonial Memory Collective Collective of Congolese Women for Peace League of Kasayienne Women SHARE, Migrant Associations Forum The Migrant and Foreign Women’s Network (ReFi-oe asbl) The Negrophobia Observatory The Platform of African Organizations in Antwerp The Forum of International Solidarity Associations (FASI) Moja (General Counsel of Africans in Belgium) EDUCAID CongoForum Lingeer asbl Sénégalaises de Belgique et Ami-e-s RVDAGE/VI Mayera pour l’enfance

Fonds Message de Yaguine & Fodé

resources and medias Yaguine & Fodé’s message

Conakry, July 29th 1999

« Excellencies, members and responsible authorities of Europe, We have the honour and pleasure of writing you this letter to tell you about the purpose of our journey and the sufferings, which we, the children and young people of Africa, experience.

But first may we offer you our most exquisite, adorable and respectful greetings in life. To that effect, be our support and our help. For us in Africa, you are the ones to whom we must turn for help. We beg you to listen to us, for the love of your continent, for the feeling that you have for your people and above all for the attachment and love that you feel for your children, whom you love for life; and also for the love and graciousness of our creator God Almighty, who gave you all the good experiences, wealth and power to develop and organise your continent to be the most beautiful and admirable of them all.

Esteemed members and leaders of Europe, we in Africa appeal to your solidarity and your kindness. Help us, we are suffering terribly in Africa, we have problems and there are gaps in children’s rights.

Among the problems we face are war, disease and malnutrition. As for children’s rights, in Africa and especially in Guinea we have too many schools but not enough education and teaching – except in private schools where you can get a good education and good teaching, but only at great cost. But our parents are poor and they have to feed us. Furthermore, we have no sports schools where we can play soccer, basketball, or tennis.

This is why we, the children and young people in Africa, ask you to embark on a large-scale, efficient organisation for Africa so that our countries can develop.

Hence, if you see that we risk our lives and sacrifice ourselves, it is because there is too much suffering in Africa and because we need you to fight against poverty and to end war there.

Nevertheless, we want to study and ask you to help us study to become like you, in Africa.

Finally, we beg you to forgive us for daring to write this letter to you, the great persons to whom we owe respect. Please realise that we have no one else to turn to in order to show how weak we are in Africa.

Written by two Guinean children, Yaguine Koita and Fodé Tounkara »

Yaguine & Fodé

sia tolno - Yaguine & Fodé album “african woman” (2014)

‘’Il Sole Dentro’’ (‘’inside sun’’) - italian movie (2011)

Atterrissage theatre play from K. Alem directed by Denis Mpunga Belgium (2006)

Fonds Message de Yaguine & Fodé

contact

Oscar Kombila Cercle de Yaguine et FodĂŠ 0476/87 35 42 okombila@hotmail.com

iday - 2014 Fonds Message de Yaguine & FodĂŠ