Plein Tok
Sierra Leone should Stop Scapegoating Foreigners
By Dr John Kabia
Jun 21, 2008, 09:00

Anyone who has followed the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa will be worried at the news that Sierra Leone Immigration Officers are arresting hundreds of illegal foreign nationals because of what the Chief Immigration Officer refers to as “many anti-social activities orchestrated by alleged foreign nationals” (quoted in BBC website, 19/06/08). Whilst I am not questioning the need for the authorities to control immigration, I strongly object to the scapegoating of foreign nationals as criminals.

Across Africa, there is a growing tendency for governments and its citizens to blame foreigners for the rise in crime and economic hardship. Most failing and weak states accuse foreigners to deflect attention from their own failure to effectively tackle crime and improve the welfare of their citizens. I am not in anyway exonerating foreign nationals of criminal behaviour. I believe there are some immigrants involved in crime just as there are local criminals. It is the responsibility of the police and other law enforcement bodies to deal effectively with criminals, irrespective of their nationality. To label foreigners as criminals runs the risk of fuelling prejudice, discrimination and xenophobia whilst failing to tackle the real causes of crime in our communities.

Do we want to follow South Africa in criminalising foreigners? As a country just emerging from a brutal civil war and badly in need of foreign investment, I think such a move is both dangerous and counter productive. We are still struggling to overcome the negative publicity of conflict and cannot afford to be seen as anti-immigrant. We do need foreign investors to boost our weak economy and actions such as this risk giving the country a bad image. Besides, have we forgotten so soon the sacrifices of foreign nationals in resolving our conflict? What about the refuge provided to thousands of us in neighbouring countries?

Immigration authorities have a responsibility to control immigration in the country but must be careful not to incite xenophobia and prejudice against foreigners. Foreigners should not be labelled as criminals.

About the writer:

Dr. John M. Kabia is Programme Worker at The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace in Warrington, UK. As the name suggests, the Foundation aims to inspire people to lead more peaceful lives by enabling them to better understand conflict and by doing so to reduce or eliminate violence in our communities.