Brexit Africans in Europe express disappointment with
referendum result
The Leave campaigners won by 52 per cent to 48 per cent with
England and Wales voting strongly for Brexit, while London, Scotland and
Northern Ireland backed staying in the EU.
In telephone interviews with the Europe Correspondent of the
News Agency of Nigeria some Nigerians described the outcome of the referendum
as a catastrophe for ethnic minorities in Europe.
Mr Raymond Aste, a lawyer and political analyst in London,
said those who voted in favour of Brexit (Britain Exit) did so emotionally in
line with their individual opinion on what a Leave EU vote meant.
Aste said, “I can understand concerns by the white
supremacist to stem the flow of immigrants into their country.
“But for the immigrant communities, it beats me as to how
they considered voting to leave the EU.
“This has a long implication economically, legally and many
others.”
Similarly, Dr John Duniya, who resides in Scotland, said the
Leave EU outcome meant ethnic minorities would not have protection of EU laws,
especially on human rights issues.
“Being under the EU meant we had some kind of protection
under certain laws but with this development the UK will be in full control of
its system without interference from the EU.
“Secondly, the argument put forward by the Leave campaigners
on immigration control and better welfare for commonwealth citizens is just a
deceit.
“I bet you, their idea of commonwealth means Australia and
Canada, not Nigeria, Ghana , India and Pakistan.
In the same vein, Mrs Yetunde Olivier, a member of Nigerians
in Diaspora Organisation, France, said “this is bad for Europe.
“Britain should have pushed for renegotiation in areas it is
not comfortable with rather than seek for exit.
“This is not only about immigration, it is about trade,
currency, law and, above all, supremacy.
“I hope at the long run Nigerians and others would not be
kicked out of the UK,” she stressed.
Some Africans, who spoke to NAN from Switzerland, stressed
the need for Nigerians in diaspora to start considering going back home.
Mr Uche Obiano, a systems analyst, said “all this fear about
uncertainty in the UK can be addressed if we start considering going back to
our fatherland.
Obiano said, “If Europeans developed Europe themselves we
can also go back home and contribute to nation building.
“The so-called opportunities ethnic minorities in the UK
think they will benefit from after Brexit are not jobs their people want.
“Britons do not do cleaning, care-giving or security jobs,
these can be very tasking and degrading but at the same time immigrants are
seeking these jobs for survival.
“My opinion is that if you find life tough abroad then go
back home and hustle.”
Similarly, politicians from France, Germany, Belgium, among
others have expressed concern over the EU’s economy and future without Britain.
Some anti- immigration politicians in Europe have lauded the
move and recommended the same step for their countries.
The Brexit referendum which held on Thursday was described
by UK authorities as historic with a record number of more than 30 million
voters -the highest turnout at a UK election since 1992 – participating.
NAN
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