Senegambian
residents from other EU countries currently living or working in the United
Kingdom (UK) are voicing out constraint and frustration over their current
immigration status as the country finally quits the European Union (EU) on
Friday. Also those in other EU countries wishing to enter Britain for various
reasons are equally affected.
The
departure from the EU followed an intense, controversial and extremely divisive
campaign and election. But the overwhelming vote to leave the EU - 47 years
after it joined in 1973 that came as a result of a Brexit referendum will no
doubt escalate such concerns.
The
Point uncovered that anxious Gambians and Senegalese who already heard previous
reports that the freedom of movement would end on the day the UK leaves the EU
even though the threat was later reversed are still affected.
Nonetheless
as the country bids farewell to the EU, some officials demanded a low key
celebration to avoid ‘‘hurting the feelings’’ of several citizens. Yet, Brexit
supporters covered themselves with British flags outside the houses of
Parliament and continued celebrating.
Senegambians
who are among those considered as ‘new arrivals’ to the country from within the
EU may also lose the right to permanent residence.
Ebou
Ndow, a Gambian resident in the Midlands told this correspondent: ‘‘As far as I
am concerned, I have family members both in the UK and Germany…,however, I
learnt that living and working in both countries will now be difficult.’’
Several
EU citizens who also relied on the principle established by the Surinder Singh
case defining the right in EU law for a person to move from one member state to
another may eventually be disappointed.
In
that particular judgement (C-370/90), family members of EU citizens were also
protected and covered in accordance with the free movement laws.
However,
Senegambians are not alone regarding such apprehensions. In Northern Ireland,
the border communities against Brexit staged a series of protest demanding a
‘rethink’. Scotland is also demanding a referendum to help rejoin the EU.
Contrary
to the skeptics, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the departure from the
EU was ‘‘astonishing moment of hope…potentially a moment of real national
renewal and change.’’
Nevertheless
EU leaders across the EU decried that the strength of a nation ’‘does not lie
in splendid isolation’’ and are ‘‘deeply saddened’’ thus describing Brexit as
‘‘historic alarm signal for Europe to become simpler and more democratic.’’
