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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Jan 2007 : 00:26:35
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The Senegalese gov't has re-introduce the entry visa requirement for EU citizen wishing to visit the Francophone West African Country. IS THIS WISDOM OR FOLLY??? http://www.seneweb.com/news/article/7693.php
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madiss |
Edited by - MADIBA on 05 Jan 2007 00:27:04 |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2007 : 00:40:29
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| Its a source of foreign exchange. No visa applications will be denied anyway. You cant bite the finger that feeds you. |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2007 : 00:41:09
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quote:
Originally posted by MADIBA
The Senegalese gov't has re-introduce the entry visa requirement for EU citizen wishing to visit the Francophone West African Country. IS THIS WISDOM OR FOLLY??? http://www.seneweb.com/news/article/7693.php
MADIIS. the decision is correct. it will indicate who is visiting the country and for what reason. |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2007 : 00:54:20
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Konds/Santa,
I think its good to take note of those going in and out of the country to track down evil visitors such as paedophiles. The visa fees are also extra quids in the kitty
Would it adversely affect the tourism industry of the country? According to the article major operators think that the timing of such a move is wrong. |
madiss |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2007 : 01:44:13
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quote:
Originally posted by MADIBA
Konds/Santa,
I think its good to take note of those going in and out of the country to track down evil visitors such as paedophiles. The visa fees are also extra quids in the kitty
Would it adversely affect the tourism industry of the country? According to the article major operators think that the timing of such a move is wrong.
Its because Africans have always allowed free passage, so its going to be a big battle to ask for visas. Give it some few months and the decision will be reversed. The visa policy is by no means an indication that visas may be denied. They will never deny visas. Its just some form of exercising "sovereignty". Its like the barking of a toothless dog.
You are right some quids in the kitty
In the Gambia tourist used to pay airport tax in foreign currency on arrival. It created many loopholes and jobs just to collect the money. In the end, it was a worthless exercise. There is a principle of taxation which is relevant here. A tax is considered ecnomical if the cost of colectiing it is relatively low compared to revenue generated. If its too high, such taxes are not worth collecting. Now i think the tax is added on the ticket and refunded to the airport authorities.
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2007 : 06:49:34
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| it may be worthless as an administratory act, but important as a symbol for sovereignty. as long as eu denies access to almost every african, it is ok that african countries demonstrate they can do they same. the more as in fact many dubious figures from eu go to africa. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2007 : 18:29:10
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quote:
Originally posted by serenata
it may be worthless as an administratory act, but important as a symbol for sovereignty. as long as eu denies access to almost every african, it is ok that african countries demonstrate they can do they same. the more as in fact many dubious figures from eu go to africa.
Well i am happy that you have used the word "demonstrate". That is not exercising sovereignty. A demonstration is a mellowed protest and quite often does not harm the agressor and the demonstrators merely disappear like a flash in a pan. |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2007 : 19:08:09
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Senegal is setting a precedent for the rest of South to follow.
After all what is good for the goose is good for the gander.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2007 : 19:35:18
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| really - i am very surprised that there are africans who don't appreciate the senegalese attempt. ok, senegal does not depend on tourism as much as gambia. But if gambia itself is not able to take any measures against eu's neo-colonial arrogance it should be grateful that at least the neighbour shows that african countries know some limits. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2007 : 19:36:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Sister Omega
Senegal is setting a precedent for the rest of South to follow.
After all what is good for the goose is good for the gander.
Peace
Sister Omega
Rightly so if Africans can stand up and take care of themselves. Then only then can they say the above saying. You cant bite the finger that feds you.
Sorry but its the bitter truth. Western aid has become more relevant than many governments in africa. Until we can reverse that trend, then we have no choice but to open our borders whilst theirs will be closed to us.
The many deaths on the small boats to the canary island is an indication that africans rather want to leave for europe and unfortuately the desperation to go is more urgent in africa than in Europe.
The last time we saw such levels of migration using boats was the people of Haiti trying to reach the United States dubbed the "Boat People". History only repats itself with a difference. We must create hope for our citizens rather than embark on measures that we quickly abandon.
If France were to withdraw aid to Senegal, Wollof will become the official language of the Canary Island and Spain. I am not even talking about multilateral aaid through EU. |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2007 : 21:01:46
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quote:
really - i am very surprised that there are africans who don't appreciate the senegalese attempt. ok, senegal does not depend on tourism as much as gambia. But if gambia itself is not able to take any measures against eu's neo-colonial arrogance it should be grateful that at least the neighbour shows that african countries know some limits.
I totally agree with you Serenata
Kons Western Aid is a mirage if you consider that Africa has been subsidising the west for the past 500 years in raw materials for next to nothing not to mention human resources. Even today who is benefiting from Africa's Brain drain without having invested money in training African nurses and teachers etc.
Aid is a business because it is the technocrats who really benefit from it. How many of Diaspora Communities in the EU or US are employed by Aid agencies to assist their countries.
I think Senegal is leading the way in emancipation the African mind from mental slavery.
I sum up the Aid Game like this:
THE AID GAME
The Aid game
Is a moving train,
Rushing with its freight,
Filled with tantalising gifts
Offering a helping hand,
To develop plans
To keep vulnerable citizens of distant places,
In their places on the scrap heap.
by Sophia Sewell-Ba Copyright 1997-2007 Allrights Reserved
peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 05 Jan 2007 21:02:32 |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2007 : 21:06:29
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quote:
Originally posted by serenata
really - i am very surprised that there are africans who don't appreciate the senegalese attempt. ok, senegal does not depend on tourism as much as gambia. But if gambia itself is not able to take any measures against eu's neo-colonial arrogance it should be grateful that at least the neighbour shows that african countries know some limits.
No one disputes the fact that Senegal has the right to introduce visas. The problem is such visas will never be denied to EU citizens. Like Madiba said, its some quids for the kitty.
I was going to be denied entry into Tanzania some years ago because i did not have a vaccination certificate in addition to an expensive visa i had to pay for at their embassy in London.
African governments seem to emphasise sovereignty as far as fellow africans are concerned but open up borders to citizens from donor countries with no questions asked.
I congratulate Wade for the "bold" move but like many before him, the policy eventually was reduced to a mere political propaganda to show show country men that they are tough. Time is the biggest enemy of this policy. |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2007 : 21:13:04
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Kons, Wade actions will carry more clout if it is adopted by the Au as a whole. After all unity is strength.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 05 Jan 2007 21:15:31 |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2007 : 21:18:04
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quote:
Originally posted by Sister Omega
quote:
really - i am very surprised that there are africans who don't appreciate the senegalese attempt. ok, senegal does not depend on tourism as much as gambia. But if gambia itself is not able to take any measures against eu's neo-colonial arrogance it should be grateful that at least the neighbour shows that african countries know some limits.
I totally agree with you Serenata
Kons Western Aid is a mirage if you consider that Africa has been subsidising the west for the past 500 years in raw materials for next to nothing not to mention human resources. Even today who is benefiting from Africa's Brain drain without having invested money in training African nurses and teachers etc.
Sister Omega
Your above statement only goes to confirm that Africans are not independent. If we are subsidising the west and yet we are starving etc, then something is really wrong on the continent. Why are we then so poor and why all the deaths to reach the countries we are susidising. Like the mandinka say: NIYEH LA WULO FAA WANDI WULO YEH, FELE BAYE LOONG, ITEH SUBO SO TO LA. ( If you kill your dog for someone else's dog, on the day of the hunt, you will never have meat). If african governments drive their intellectuals away because of intolerance, then the West will enjoy the free lunch.
Better still: KOTI KO DANI LA(Someone who has salt but goes about begging for salt). Two things here:
1. Either he is greedy and wants to grab more or
2. He is such a dimwit that he does not realise he has some. Like Bob said, "In the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty"
But either scenarios have one thing in common. The non utilisation of the resource(salt) for the betterment of the society. As a result we will always be wanting because evene though we have it , we cannot use it or only few could use it. African leaders must have tolerenace to divergent views and stop acting like Emperors entrenching patronage.
Otherwise, the seabed of the Atlantic will become grave yards for the many young aspiring to reach fortress Europe. Hope is part of the engine of growth. Even the stock market thrives on hope. |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2007 : 22:14:07
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The Stock Market thrives on hope but when hope leads to over ambition it crashes right. Semantics aside, I think Kons you are absolutely right to say that "hope is part of the engine of growth" and I would also add so is positive thinking. For too long apathy and negativity have been keeping Africans down. Also it is about time African Union works on a paradigm of its own to meet the needs of the people. I agree with you that Africans Leaders must have tolerance of each other on all sides of the political spectrum. Unfortunately Africa Leaders legacy have been too vulnerable to outside manipulation aimed at distablising the socio-economic and political infrastructure in order for the West to expliot Africa's physical resources whilst Africans fight amongst ourselves.
Africans need to pay more attention on economic power for nationbuilding rather than just lining elites pockets.
Further more Africans Leaders should encourage innovation and pay people with practicle ideas to assit in Nation building.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2007 : 23:05:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Sister Omega
The Stock Market thrives on hope but when hope leads to over ambition it crashes right. Semantics aside, I think Kons you are absolutely right to say that "hope is part of the engine of growth" and I would also add so is positive thinking. For too long apathy and negativity have been keeping Africans down. Also it is about time African Union works on a paradigm of its own to meet the needs of the people. I agree with you that Africans Leaders must have tolerance of each other on all sides of the political spectrum. Unfortunately Africa Leaders legacy have been too vulnerable to outside manipulation aimed at distablising the socio-economic and political infrastructure in order for the West to expliot Africa's physical resources whilst Africans fight amongst ourselves.
Africans need to pay more attention on economic power for nationbuilding rather than just lining elites pockets.
Further more Africans Leaders should encourage innovation and pay people with practicle ideas to assit in Nation building.
Peace
Sister Omega
I agree Sister. I am frustrated by African governments doing nothing at AU meetings. They only talk and do nothing afterwards. Just recently Senegal closed its borders to Gambians.
You are right in all what you said above. They should disband the AU. Dafur is a crisis right before their noses and Somalia is in flames with ethiopia and Eritrea all involved. We have become our own enemy. Its unfortunnate that we have to to be protected from ourselves. |
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