Boubacar Sèye calls for investigation into rhetoric targeting foreigners

In a contribution published by SeneNews, Boubacar Sèye calls on the Senegalese state to open an investigation into possible networks, interests, funding or strategies that may, in his view, be fuelling tensions between communities through identity-based rhetoric.

The international migration researcher and consultant cites the “actions” and positions taken by Papa Tahirou Sarr towards foreigners. He believes the matter should be subject to an institutional review. However, he provides no elements in his text identifying such networks or funding.

A warning against stigmatisation

Boubacar Sèye distinguishes between border control and the fight against irregular immigration, trafficking, document fraud or the exploitation of individuals, and a policy targeting communities. In his view, debates should focus on the effectiveness of public action, employment, the informal economy, taxation, security and regional cooperation.

He recalls that movement among West African peoples is rooted in a long regional history. His contribution notably refers to Senegal’s ties with Guinean, Malian, Mauritanian, Gambian, Ivorian and Nigerien nationals, as well as the ECOWAS framework.

The issue of migration policy

According to Boubacar Sèye, Senegal already has administrative mechanisms governing the residence and movement of foreigners. He notably mentions a circulation card provided for by the Ministry of the Interior for certain categories of foreigners living in the country.

The founder and president of Horizon Sans Frontières and the African Observatory Against Xenophobia advocates for a migration policy he describes as sovereign, based on respect for the law and the preservation of coexistence between communities. No response from Papa Tahirou Sarr is reported in the publication.