By RFPosted on 02-08-2019Modified on 02-08-2019 at 08:32

That was twenty years ago. On August 2, 1999, the bodies of two young Guinean teenagers were found in the landing gear, according to the official version, of a Conakry - Brussels plane. Fodé and Yaguine had left a letter addressed to European leaders, a letter that became infamous.

" Gentlemen and leaders of Europe. We sacrifice and expose our lives, because we suffer too much in Africa and we need you to fight against poverty ".

On August 2, 1999, these words written by two Guinean teenagers are found at the feet of their lifeless bodies. Fifteen-year-old Fodé Tounkara and fourteen-year-old Yaguine Koïta had secretly entered the landing gear of an aircraft from Sabena, the former Belgian airline, heading for Brussels.

Their moving letter was first relayed by the Belgian press and then throughout the world. Young people justified their desperate attempt at emigration through war, sickness, lack of education and education in their country and especially the desire to study in Europe.

Fifteen years later, in 2015, Guineans were not among the top ten foreigners arriving in Europe. Today, they represent the first nationality in France among unaccompanied minors.

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