Abstract
The phenomenon of illegal/irregular migration from Africa to Europe appears to be continuous as Africans still embark on the mission. At the peak of the refugee crisis in Europe in 2015, migrants from Africa were welcomed as asylum seekers and refugees. Soon after, the tide turned and they were no longer welcome. In fact, the rescue activities on the sea by various humanitarian organisations became criminalised shortly before COVID-19 pandemic erupted in late 2019. Efforts like the externalisation of European borders and the establishment of the EUTF for Africa have largely focused on containment strategies, with limited success in addressing the structural factors driving migration from Africa. While the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) was initially aimed at addressing the drivers of illegal migration, its implementation has been critiqued for disproportionately focusing on border control rather than sustainable development initiatives in Africa. This emphasis on security over socio-economic growth undermines efforts to create viable alternatives for potential migrants in their home countries. This article argues that tackling this phenomenon requires a more humanistic approach.