Guineans Want Naturalization Door Open to All

News and Events

Guineans Want Naturalization Door Open to All
At Celebration of ECOWAS 34th Anniversary
By Stephen Binda, Observer
June 8, 2009

MONROVIA, Over 3,000 people mainly Guineans over the weekend took to the streets of Monrovia in a peaceful march in observance of the 34th anniversary of the Economy Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The program was organized by the ECOWAS Civil Society Movement of Liberia (ECOSMIL) and saw the match beginning from Ashmun Street to the Monrovia City Hall in Sinkor. Among the crowd were representatives from the Embassies of Guinea, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast.

Speaking at the program in Sinkor, the president of the Guinean Liberian Community, Bella Diallo, said Guinea was grateful to be part of the program.
He added that the program organized by ECOSMIL was their own way of celebrating with ECOWAS on the occasion of their 34th anniversary.
Mr. Diallo used the opportunity to thank member countries for the close working relationships over the past year despite problems in respective countries.
Coming to the oldest country in Africa, Liberia, Diallo said despite efforts by the Central Government to ensure equal rights and justice for all aliens, there still remained huge problems, especially in the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN).
Outlining some of the problems, Mr. Diallo said, “At times my people are detained for Immigration documents and Naturalization papers.”
He said his people had complained on numerous occasions, adding that the action on the part of immigration officials was creating problem for the free flow of goods and services in and out of the country.

He also noted that his people often found it difficult to obtain naturalization status in the country. “Some of my people want to naturalize but we are being told that they are not Negroes, when we all are Africans,” the Guinean Liberian Community president told invited guests.
On behalf of the Guinean community in Liberia he called on the Central Government to revisit the clause that disallows those who are not negroes from becoming citizens so that they could naturalize in Liberia.

He ended by assuring members of the Guinean community in Liberia of his continued effort in ensuring that those behind the death of one of their members, identified as Abdallai Jalloh, are brought to justice.
Speaking earlier at the program, the Organization's Secretary, Oretha Dennis, read a formal position statement on behalf of the organization.
In her 15-minute presentation, she highlighted the need for more collaboration between member states aimed at ensuring that peace, justice and equal rights for all are achieved.

She also called for a review of the security system in the sub-region, adding that when that was done it would promote peace and development in all member states.
Madam Dennis ended by paying tribute to those who sat and crafted the formation of ECOWAS convention more than 20 years ago.
For his part, the Special Assistant Commissioner at the Bureau of Immigration, Col. Edwin Hoff, expressed gratitude to organizers of the program and said he was pleased to be a part of the celebration of ECOWAS 34th anniversary .
He assures them of BIN's continuous collaboration with all aliens, especially the Guinean community in Liberia to promote peace and understanding among the two countries.

Mr. Hoff, who represented BIN boss Chris Massaqoui, stressed the need for close working relationships between aliens in the country and BIN aimed at resolving problems.
He ended by pleading with them not to do business with anyone in the corner but rather with the BIN office, and to always carry valid documents to avoid future embarrassment from BIN officers.

ECOWAS is a regional group of 15 countries founded in 1975. Its mission is to promote economic integration in "all fields of
economic activity, particularly industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, monetary and financial questions, social and cultural matters ....." It member states include Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Senegal, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Liberia, among others.