European, African leaders hold migration talks in Paris 🇫🇷

Seven African and European leaders are meeting in the French 🇫🇷 capital, Paris, to discuss ways to stem the flow of migrants and refugees into Europe from northern Africa.

French 🇫🇷 President Emmanuel Macron has invited ✉️ his counterparts from Niger and Chad as well as the head of the Libyan UN-backed government Fayez al-Sarraj, whose countries lie on the main transit route for people fleeing violence ⚔ and poverty in parts of Africa and the Middle East.

German 🇩🇪 Chancellor Angela Merkel, Spanish and Italian Prime Ministers Mariano Rajoy and Paulo Gentiloni, and Europe's top diplomat Federica Mogherini will join Monday's talks‼️

Italy has sought to impose a code of conduct 📋 on the NGOs, which face accusations from some critics that their operations have encouraged migrants to attempt the crossing with the knowledge that they will be picked up in an emergency.

The code has been signed by five of seven NGOs with rescue ships 🚢 - only the French organisation Doctors Without Borders and Germany's Sea-Watch have refused 🚫 as a matter of principle, saying they wait to maintain their independence‼️

UCJ, UNILORIN.