Nigeria, Feb. 19 -- Since the 2015 'migration crisis', Europe has pressured African countries into tightening their border security and accepting returned migrants, irrespective of whether these policies are in Africa's best interest.

And although many European leaders distance themselves from President Donald Trump's recent immigration tactics, they are parroting some United States' methods and pursuing previously failed measures through increasingly heavy-handed diplomacy.

Such measures won't slow migration in the medium and long term. Instead, they could deepen instability in African countries, undermine democracy and transparency and contribute to migration drivers.

On 2 February, United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper...