Africans living in the Kingdom have featured in many of our newspapers lately, and sadly many for the wrong reasons. Reported arrests of thousands of such individuals for a score of violations including homicides, drug smuggling, bootlegging, amassing stolen vehicles and property, armed burglary and petty crimes have reflected poorly on the status of the citizens of a great continent.
Add to it the ongoing social outcry against the begging in practically every neighborhood by thousands of African women and children, and one would not be taken to task in assuming that we do indeed have a problem stemming from our African friends.
Part of the problem stems from the influx of destitute pilgrims from some of the very poor countries who invariably overstay in hopes of making it big. Unfortunately, our streets are not littered with gold and other bounties. Most, I’d say, are littered with potholes instead. To make ends meet in a job-scarce market, some have resorted to criminal activities.
And faced with the problems of a sizable number of overstayers, the authorities have not yet seemed to tackle the growing problem efficiently. The open street begging “in your face” that most of us have experienced surely must be noticed by those who enforce the laws, but yet nothing happens. And while there are deportation flights, they are too few and far between.
The abuse of little African children by their parents or guardians who thrust them out in a mad chaos of traffic is of significant concern. And yet there is apparently very little distress from our law enforcement agencies. Are we to expect them as a permanent fixture on our streets and our lives?
But lest we get carried away, we must remember that Africa is a large continent, stretching from Morocco and Tunisia in the north to South Africa in the south, from Somalia in the east to Senegal in the west. And citizens of this continent have played a significant part in the growth and development of our own.
For each one of those arrested for crimes, there are hundreds if not thousands of law-abiding African citizens living in the Kingdom who carry on their daily duties and functions and who in their own way have been contributing to our own progress.
There are diligent teachers from Sudan, and astute bankers from Kenya. There are technicians from Egypt, and proficient managers and accountants from Somalia. There are doctors from Botswana and engineers from Senegal. Additionally, human resources from Nigeria, Chad, South Africa and other countries all have reflected well on the African Continent.
But as in any news feature, the deviants often capture the headlines. And as our news becomes more transparent, it has become a daily routine to read about the growing number of arrests. And this has not reflected well on the African populace. Yes, we do indeed have a problem with a few of our African visitors, but let’s hold the relevant authorities accountable. How do the deviants get in, who allows them in, and who lets them carry on in this criminal activity are some questions that need to be answered.
In the meantime, to all those law-abiding Africans, we owe our thanks and gratitude, for they have achieved well. We cannot allow ourselves to be swayed by the unfortunate actions of the few to forget the significant contributions of the many.
