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medotech
42 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Feb 2006 : 21:08:54
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Ok,Im a bit comfused here about this citizenship discussion although I have not given it more thought myself.My father is a serahule from gambia,my mother is a fula from Guinea and they met in Sierra Leone where I was born.So what does that make mE?Gambian,SierraLeonean,Guinean or all of them.Just wanna get it straight even though im not really into those types of classifications
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 26 Feb 2006 : 22:25:38
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Hi my brother,
You are:
(1) An African,by birth,colour and creed.
(2) Ofcause you are a Gambian by our laws-(constitution).
(3) You can claim sierra Leonian citizinship by birth.-(sierra Leonian constitution-"revised")
(4)But the must important thing is,you are an African orn to African parents.
I could tell you more in detail but all you need to know as a right,are the above truths
Mankajang Janyanfara |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 26 Feb 2006 : 23:28:24
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Hi Medotech,
It makes you African and a citzen of the world.
Peace
Sister Omega. |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2006 : 22:25:39
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I think we need to be realistic. There is no such thing as being African. I am a gambian and i was denied to board a flight to Tanzania because i need a visa to get there. i was on official mission and tanzanians do not need a visa to come to the Gambia. When i went to the Gambian Embassy (location withheld)they were suprised and wanted to retaliate on Tanzanian citizens.
Medotec, you could claim Gambian citizenship but that does not make you an African because there is no such country as Africa. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2006 : 22:57:36
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Hi kondorong,
That's a good point a friend of mine told me a similiar thing about him getting trouble to enter Kenya on his Gambian passport. So it made me think that maybe its about time that the AU start seriously thinking about AU passport for Africans covering its 6 Zones including the diaspora. "So no matter where you come from as long as your a black man (Black woman) you are an African." Just had to throw in Peter Tosh lyric.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2006 : 23:07:18
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Would you include all black americans and caribeans etc in this title?
An African passport would be excellent....but what would the terms be? Parents being African born? Free movement within Africa would be a good start. |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2006 : 23:22:58
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Hi gambiabev yes within the constitution of the African Union the African Diaspora which I belong to is recognised as the 6th Zone of Africa. So therefore if this was to become a reality we should also be entitled to apply for the passport in principle.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2006 : 23:25:53
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Interesting. Do you know if you could hold that passport aswell as the passport you have now?
Anything that brings Africa together and encourages union is a good idea. |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2006 : 23:54:23
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Good question gambianbev, I think that realistically the whole subject of reparations would have to be brought to the top of the international agenda in order to for the Diaspora to hold dual nationality in the form of passports. Because forced migration in the form of the Transatlantic Slave Trade was undertaken before the passport system was brought into place.
Nevertheless I don't see this as being a major obstacle to change when we consider that up until 1979 ex colonial terrotry citizens were entitled to dual citizenship. The first passport I had was dual nationality. I am still entitled to hold a Jamaican passport under Jamaican law if I choose to have one.
The AU is further down this road than the EU and US because they have recognised all Africans waves of migrants as being part of the 6th Zone of Africa because of the contributions they have made and still do make to Africa in terms of economic and intellectual contributions, and to encourage future participation to the progress of the continent.
The timescale of this inception is a different issue maybe for future generations to negogiate. As migration and immigration patterns change in light of stricter immigration controls to the EU and US. And their more insular shut door policies.
I think in the future dual nationality will enable more freedom of movement which will allow people who want to resettle in Africa from the Diaspora to be able to do so as official recognised as AU citizens in the future. Depending on how the harmonisation process affects African communities in Europe with the influx of Eastern European migrant workers coming into western European countries, who are filling jobs which were traditionally filled with colonial or ex-colonial labour.
The paradigm has shifted, I suppose this could be seen as a safety net against another wave of forced repatriation ie. 19th century forced repatriation of ex-slaves after the American war of Independence when ex-slaves fought on the side of the British came to England and then were shipped to Serria Leone.
Also Dual nationality could also be used by the European Diaspora born in Africa who wish to leave the continent and return to their ancestral homelands in Europe. Who knows maybe one day there will be just one passport as a Global citizen now that would be progress.
By
Sophia Ba Copyright 2006
Peace
Sister Omega
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Peace
Sister Omega |
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medotech
42 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2006 : 00:15:39
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| If they do that,it will be great,just like any Jew can go to israel from anywhere in the world and automatically becomes a citizen.If they do that to all black people for africa will be good for the continent,regardless from where they are or from.Imagine the contribution that will have towards uplifting the continent. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2006 : 01:19:55
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I think it is only in Guinea that the constitution allowed for the country to cease to exist in the event that African people want to come together to form one political Union. This was in the days of Sekou Ture. Also in Ghana, it was an offence for the security forces to ask an African an ID during the days of Kwamme Nkrummah. Ghana was Africa and every one was welcome. I am not sure if this still holds. Although i have been to Ghana many times, i was never stopped in town for an ID even though my taxi Driver was once involved in a traffic violation but the police officer did not question me. I did not have the Ghanian accent and he knew I was a foreigner.
Kwammeh had said that " Gahana's independenec is meaningless without the total liberation of the African people. Long live the African Intercontinental Government that must be".
Do you know that it is more expensive to travel within Africa than to travel to Europe and travel back to Africa even though you do not have any business in Europe. It is infact faster. I learn't my lesson years ago. The African continent is full of ironies just like Bob Marley said " In the abundance of water the fool is thirsty". Just like in Mandinka KO TI KO DANILA. Which means some one who has enough salt goes out begging for salt. He is ignorant of his possession. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2006 : 15:30:50
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Hi Kondorong, I agree with expensive travel view.
I wonder when African leaders will start to enact the Omega Plan and to develop the infrastructure to enable cheaper intercontinental travel. I suppose they will have to devise a stategy to facilitate better internal travel links across Africa to assist in speeding up the continent's economic progress.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2006 : 17:46:39
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Hi brother,
If the Tanzanian authorities did that then they've viloated the African union chater.
The main aim was to allow free movements of its citizens within its territories. You can even answer that 4 yor self as Tanzanians don't need a visa to come to Gambia is the reason.It is vice-visa
Irrespective of my Human right activities, i would challenge any African country that try to refuse me entry.Though I have been to many and never had such,but you've raised a valid point.I might give travelling to Tanzania and see 4 my self.
Peace
Mankajang Janyanfara. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2006 : 19:08:57
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Did you know that for your mail to go to Senegal, it has to go to Europe first and you pay more for it.
Nigeria is the 5th largest supplier of oil to the USA yet nigerians queue for petrol for days without a drop.
Sierra Leone has the largest and best diamonds ever known. The Queen has one in Burkinghapalace yet only a handful of Sierraleoneans have seen a diamond.
Africa produces cotton yet we are clothed from China.
Gambia used to export glass in the colonial days yet today we have to import it to see our faces.
Malawi had excess corn and cannot find market to sell and its farmers are complaining yet there is famine in neigbouring countries who are looking to the "world Market" and cannot find supply.
Telephone calls were routed to former colonial masters and then relayed back to Africa before you could speak to someone in Senegal.
AFRICA, THE CONTINENT OF IRONIES
Zambia has the largest deposits of copper, yet its electricity infrasture is among the worst in the world.
Liberia has one of the largest rubber plantations, yet not a single automobile is made there.
Gambia has a lot of fish yet to eat sardines they had to come from spain.
If you believe that life started in Africa, isn't it ironical that to stay alive many had to be refugees in Babylon. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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taalibeh
Gambia
336 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2006 : 20:00:45
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The reason for the ironis in africa is largely due to the fact that the leaders point blankly refuse to develop the continent for its citizens. They are only interested in beefing up their foreign bank accounts.
Our leaders are disgusting and do not have our interest at heart. The majority of africans are ignorant and do not know their rights. All we do is singing and dancing for our presidents. To keep us in this darkness, they will do everything possible to deny us proper education while they are getting the best education for their children.
It is our responsibility to extricate ourselves from the clutches of our evil leaders. We can achieve this by educating ourselves and our children. THIS WE MUST DO.
Look how amaizing the rest of the world is advancing towards a betting living condition while we are deteriorating in every aspect of live. It is really sad.
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Taalibeh |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2006 : 22:30:13
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I have a crazy theory for our current problems. If we believe that life started in Africa then it might be true that those who decided to stay in the continent and from whom we came from were no risk takers. In those times food was plenty and all you needed was to hunt and gather food. When the animals and food became scarce, we did not prepare ourselves for altenatives and just as usual did nothing whilst thousand die of hunger every year in a land of plenty.
Those who thought there must be better things outside and who want to take control of events, decided to leave the known for the unknown and as they moved away their color changed due to weather partly.
The ones left behind are no risk takers but complainers. May be it is our genetic makeup to compplain and do nothing. We have sunlight but it is the Europeans that invented solar power even though they rarely have enough. We only compalin about the heat and yet it is a blessing for us.
Some times we complain of bad leaders. But we have had many now and each one is a carbon copy of the previous or worst. Isnn't it time we look at ouselves instead of blaming our leaders.
Remember, our leaders came from a society and we are all a reflection of the society that brought us up. That is why i no longer jubilate when there is a change of government any where because it is always the same hardship but a different leadership. Kenya is an example, Sierreleone, Ghana, Gambia, everywhere. Perhaps the only country doing better is Botswana where the natural resources are put to good use than anywhere else in the continent. The standard of living is higher and curroption is at the lowest.
South Africa would not have been this developed had it not been for the ousiders. South Africa is not the largest country or the wealthiest and yet if you visit cape town, Johanesbourg and compare to countries with similar wealth, your heart aches. Turn around your microscope to Zaire about 25% of the size of the United States, with a lot of diamond, gold, timber, rain forest, yet they are hungry, poor and in some parts untouched by civilisation.
May be this is how things are meant to be. I don't think i am hopeful. there is a difference between hope and optimism. Optimism is about believing that that improvement will come but doing nothing istead whilst hope is about action. Hope is participatory and turning your microscope around the continent, you cannot but only see fat bellied corrupt public oficials as against immaciated, uneducated, and hungry masses trying to eck out a living. I was in Ethiopia some years ago, and was suprised to see the extreme disparity betwen the haves and have nots. The kind of cars on the road driven by officials and the masses who yearn for one meal a day. I think we are hard hearted and very insensitive to the needs of the governed.
One old man once told me, may be we should lease the continent for a fee just like China did with Honkong. Am i crazy. Do you have another better idea that will work?
What do you think. If you look at the map of the continent, you could see a big head (nothern africa) being supported ny a slim body(southern Africa). This is the our situation. We have a bigger body than our legs coould carry.
Turn your microscope to Sudan, (the genocide)the largest country only exporting refugees. They should have been our big brother and set better examples. What do you expect from little brother Gambia?
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“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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