AFRICA - What causes people to emigrate from West Africa?

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - What stories lie behind the flow of illegal immigrants from Africa to Europe? Mere figures cannot describe the dramas which push growing numbers of Africans to risk their lives in order to reach Europe.
For some time emigration has been connected with vast impoverishment of west Africa's fishing resources, caused by unchecked fishing along African coasts on the part of trawlers from the European Union, Asia and Russia. As a consequence local fishermen, who cannot earn enough to live on, become improvised “ferriers” of human persons; fishing boats carry men women and children to the Canary Islands (Spanish territory) first lap for entrance into other EU countries. The International Herald Tribune reports. Quoting UN statistics, the paper says that last year 31,000 people left the coasts of west Africa on little boats to try to reach the Canary Islands. More than 6,000 died during the crossing.
The IHT publishes statements by EU leaders in reply to accusations that African governments sold permits for fishing in their national waters too freely and did not control poaching. What ever the case the local people have lost their principle source of protein, the price of fish on local markets is too high. Another reason from seeking better living conditions in Europe.
Another story of emigration from West Africa is reported by Fraternité Matin newspaper. Following the crisis in Ivory Coast in 2002 (crisis which is coming to an end but still have various negative consequences), many Ivorians moved to Senegal. Many of these are girls who want to enter Europe by marrying a white man. To reach Senegal from Ivory Coast the women spent all their savings and are therefore economically vulnerable and many fall victims of the racket of prostitution. Once they reach Europe the “fiance”, turn out to be exploiters and they force the young women to become prostitutes. The dream of a European Eldorado becomes a nightmare. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 14/1/2008 righe 28 parole 370)