FOREIGNERS should be viewed as positive contributors to economic development and should not be victimised, Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge has said.
Mr Musenge said victimisation of foreigners in host countries is a social problem that can pose a threat to peace and stability not just in Africa but across the world.
“We have seen thousands of migrants being victimised, discriminated against and brutally attacked because they are in a foreign nation. Foreigners should instead be seen as contributors to the host country’s economy,” he said.
Mr Musenge was speaking during the official opening of a two-day international conference on xenophobia organised by the Dag Hammarskjold Institute for Peace and Conflicts Studies at the Copperbelt University (CBU).
The theme for the conference is: ‘The scourge of hatred and fear of the foreigner: How can Africa heal and build a better life for all?’
He described the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa as emerging challenges to peace and security in Africa and called for new approaches to find a lasting solution for the problem.
Mr Musenge said xenophobia has displaced many migrants who include asylum-seekers, workers and refugees, hence the need to find an urgent solution.
CBU chancellor Muyunda Mwanalushi said xenophobia is not peculiar to South Africa but is in other African countries as well.
Professor Mwanalushi called on higher learning institutions in Africa to undertake research and recommend the most effective way of fighting xenophobia.
He said school and college syllabuses should include how best conflicts can be managed.
Sweden’s ambassador to Zambia Lena Nordstrom also gave a presentation on ‘Xenophobia: A European perspective.’
Among notables that attended the conference were Senior Chief Mumena of North-Western Province, Copperbelt deputy permanent secretary Elias Kamanga, CBU vice-chancellor Naison Ngoma, Kitwe district commissioner Chanda Kabwe and veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga.
We are not xenophobic. However we dot like foreigners who do no have any qualification taking the jobs of our sons . How do we allow the “expartriate ” forklift operators, excavator operators etc.
The contribution of foreigners must not be glorified at the expense of citizens. They are all making a good thing if they stay away from crime. Xenophobia in itself is natural and neutral because anything strange must be screened first. If it passes the test, then it can be absorbed. A criminal is just that. Regardless of origins, beliefs, crime does not pay anywhere. Staying in foreign countries without valid documents if illegal. What happened in South Africa can happen anywhere in the world as long as controls are circumvented by illegal immigrants. Foreigners must learn to obey laws just like the citizens. Provocation is not the route to follow.
In Zambia, foreigners especially Muslims, treat Zambians like slaves on Zambian soil. The way Zambian housemaids are treated in the homes of muslims in Zambia is really disgusting. I hope one day ZAMBIANS WILL RAISE UP AND DEMAND RESPECT FROM FOREIGNERS OR KICK THEM OUT OF ZAMBIA!!
Foreign Muslim children and housewives insult and torture Zambian women & girls who work as housemaids…