The discussion on the categorization of African Diaspora is an ongoing world-wide issue with varying opinions. One Draft Report categorizes it into two:
- “New African Diaspora, neo-Diaspora or nouveau Diaspora: recent migrants from Africa: one foot in Africa, one foot elsewhere.
- New World Diaspora or old Diaspora: people of African descent who are also African Americans, Caribbean, Brazilian, European, etc.”
Some others involved in this debate argue that there is yet another group of African Diaspora: those born outside the continent whose parents were or are Africans.
The first category refers to those who have migrated to other parts of the world for several reasons. A very reasonable number of this group are highly skilled professionals. These professionals have left their various African countries in search of greener pasture either in America, Europe, or elsewhere. This migration of African professionals is a major cause of African brain drain, some intellectuals argue. Many of these individuals had to leave because of unfavourable environment in their home countries. Some others left based on other various reasons best known to them.
The concern now is that some of these professionals are no longer ready to relocate back to their countries of origin. Gumisai Mutume stated in his article - Reversing Africa’s ‘brain drain’ - “African professionals tend to migrate to Western Europe and North America. Many are dissuaded from returning home by the economic and political crises that have bedevilled the continent over the last few decades. Failing economies, high unemployment rate, human right abuses, armed conflicts and the lack of adequate social services, such as health and education, are some of these factors.
The former president of African Development Bank, Babacar N’Diaye, on 24 May 2010, urged these qualified members of Africa’s Diaspora to return to their countries of origin. According to AfDB’s publication, N’Diaye said during a workshop, “When I see doctors, professors and others out there, I say to myself that favourable condition could be created for their return to their respective countries. It is necessary to provide appropriate work environments and salaries to this qualified people for them to ply their trade in their countries where there is sometimes a lack of qualified staff, especially doctors and professors, etc.”
Some other people are of the opinion that the African Diaspora can contribute to the continent’s development without relocating to the continent. This means that the most important thing is contributing to African development from wherever an African might be.
Let us shift to the major concern of this article, the second category or classification of African Diaspora: The World Diaspora or old Diaspora – people of African descent who are also African Americans, Caribbean, Brazilian, European, etc. Why is this group of concern? While skilled and unskilled Africans are migrating to other continents, some members of this group are still eager to return to their ancestral home. But the recent debates have been on the criteria for returning. There have been varying opinions as to who could and could not return, where, when and the condition. African countries are divided in opinion on this issue.
While some Africans support an unconditional return of any African Diaspora who wishes to do so, some others disagree. The latter suggest that only the professional who would contribute meaningfully to Africa should be given the chance to return to Africa. On the other hand, it is alleged that some African countries have shown readiness to provide space and enabling environment for those that will return. Why is this quest for identity such a serious concern?
Therefore, does the saying that “No matter where you come from as long as you are a black man (or black woman) you are an African,” makes every African American, European, Brazilian, Caribbean, etc, eligible to return to Africa at will and unconditionally? I would want you, my readers, to be involved in this debate. Please send me your opinion concerning this question through the email address below: mediatorch@yahoo.com.
Media Blackberry
