By Muhsin Ibrahim
Tunisia has been in a socio-political crisis for the past few years. The North
African country was earlier praised as the success story of the famous Arab
Spring, while the same failed in Syria, Libya, Yemen, etc. But the recent
development has dented the relative success recorded in the aftermath of the
uprising.
Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed, a controversial figure, looked for whom to blame for his country’s troubles. Shockingly, he blames West African migrants. In other words, black people living, legally or otherwise, in his country. It sounds far-fetched, but that is what happens. He accuses them of crimes and changing the (racial) demography of the country!
Due to racism, many black Africans don’t prefer to live in North Africa. A few thousand in that region are mostly descendants of slaves or come from the so-called Francophone West African countries. That “I speak your language” idea drives them there. Others pass through the area on their way to Europe.
Before the current Tunisian imbroglio, Moroccan police massacred African immigrants wanting to cross over to Spain. The BBC Africa Eye did a harrowing documentary about the incident and released it before the 2022 World Cup. I wanted to write about it, but changed my mind for some reason. You may watch it here: Death on the Border.
The fact of the matter is, black people suffer racism globally. That comes in
many ways, covertly or overtly. While some of us living in the Diaspora are
lucky to find ourselves in cosmopolitan cities and towns, many others are not
so lucky. Thus, they live in constant fear, daily discrimination and abuse.
Whether we like it or not, so-called sub-Saharan Africa is the best place for black
people. But, unfortunately, we fail to unite, tolerate our ethno-religious and
regional differences and live peacefully. For instance, since last
weekend’s presidential election in Nigeria, the same Nigerians have been
insulting one another over who won and lost the election.
We should not remain a pariah of a sort worldwide. No peace at home, no peace
abroad. We need to grow up. If, for instance, black
Muslims are not safe in the hands of Arab Muslims, and black Christians are not secure with White Christians overseas, where else
should we go? Please, let’s put our home in order.
This is my eighth year abroad. I have lived in India and now
Germany. I have visited several countries, particularly in Europe. I have a
white-collar job - Alhamdulillah. Yet, the above is true for most migrants,
especially those doing blue-collar jobs. I wish to someday return to a
prosperous and peaceful Nigeria.
Black lives matter!
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