press release commemorations of the 15th anniversary of the discovery of
yaguine & fodé ‘s letter
« 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
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
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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
contact
Oscar Kombila Cercle de Yaguine et FodĂŠ 0476/87 35 42 okombila@hotmail.com
iday - 2014 Fonds Message de Yaguine & FodĂŠ