Menka Gomis is set to embark on a new chapter in his life as he prepares to leave his friends and family behind in France, driven by a belief that Senegal offers him greater opportunities for growth and prosperity.
Born in France to Senegalese parents, the 39-year-old Gomis feels a deep connection to his ancestral homeland, which he regards as the place where his future truly lies, despite having roots in French soil.
He is among a growing cohort of French Africans who are choosing to relocate back to their parents’ countries, citing the alarming rise in racism, discrimination, and nationalist sentiments in France as key motivators for their departure.
In an in-depth investigation, BBC Africa Eye explores this trend—often dubbed a “silent exodus”—to uncover the underlying factors that have disillusioned individuals like Gomis with their lives in France.
As an entrepreneur in the travel industry, Gomis established a small travel agency designed to cater primarily to individuals interested in reconnecting with their African roots. He has successfully expanded his operations with an office now located in Senegal, which signifies his commitment to this transition.
Reflecting on his formative years spent in the southern port city of Marseille, Gomis recalls the painful experiences of racism he encountered throughout his childhood, revealing, “I was just six years old the first time I was called the N-word at school”. His experiences have fueled his desire to seek a more inclusive environment.
“When I share my identity, I acknowledge my French upbringing, but my heritage stems from elsewhere,” Gomis asserts, highlighting the duality of his existence as a French citizen with African ancestry.
His mother, who emigrated to France as an infant, struggles to grasp her son’s decision to leave family and friends behind in pursuit of a new life in Senegal, a choice she sees as unfathomable.
Gomis clarifies that his move is not simply an “African dream,” but rather a blend of his sense of responsibility to his parents’ roots and a keen awareness of opportunities that await in a burgeoning continent.
He draws a vivid comparison, stating, “Africa today is reminiscent of the Americas during the gold rush era; it’s a land bursting with potential and opportunities yet to be realized.” Gomis envisions Senegal as a land of possibility where everything is still left to build and develop.
The historical ties binding France and Senegal are intricate; Senegal, a majority Muslim nation and former French colony, once played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade. Current dynamics reflect these complex interrelations.
In the face of adversity, many migrants from Senegal continue to risk perilous journeys across dangerous seas in pursuit of a life in Europe, only to find themselves grappling with the challenges that await them there—potent realities underscored in a recent BBC Africa Eye investigation highlighting the struggles of those seeking asylum.
According to the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA), a staggering 142,500 people sought asylum in France last year, with approximately one-third of these requests granted, illustrating a rising tide of migration landing on French shores.
While the exact number of individuals opting for the reverse journey to Africa remains unclear, research suggests that many highly skilled French citizens, particularly those from Muslim backgrounds and often the offspring of immigrants, are quietly departing their native land.
The sentiments echoed by those interviewed reveal a general perception that attitudes towards immigration are hardening in France, as right-wing parties gain momentum and influence over public policy.
In a current political landscape marked by increased scrutiny of immigration policies, Prime Minister Michel Barnier and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau have made promises to intensify measures against both legal and illegal immigration through proposed changes at both domestic and European levels.
Fanta Guirassy, a French national running her own nursing practice in Villemomble, reveals her intention to move to Senegal, a poignant reflection of her mother’s heritage.
“Unfortunately, for quite a few years now in France, we’ve been feeling less and less safe. It’s a shame to say it, but that’s the reality,” the 34-year-old openly admits to the BBC, voicing her concerns as a single mother to a teenage son navigating the complexities of modern society.
Her awakening came when her son was subjected to a police stop-and-search while merely chatting with friends, a traumatic experience for any mother, as Guirassy notes, “You see what happens on TV and you see it happen to others.”
The situation escalated dramatically in June when nationwide riots ignited following the police shooting of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk, a French-Algerian teen. This incident not only incited unrest but also highlighted longstanding grievances regarding the treatment of ethnic minorities in France.
A survey revealed alarming statistics about racial discrimination, with 91% of black respondents indicating they have faced such injustices. In response to the unrest, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urged France to confront systemic issues of racial discrimination within its law enforcement agencies.
Despite the mounting evidence, the French government dismissed the claims, asserting that accusations of systemic racism within the police force are “totally groundless.” Nonetheless, reports from the French interior ministry indicated a stark increase in reported racial crimes over the past year, casting a shadow over the government’s assertions.
For Audrey Monzemba, a schoolteacher of Congolese descent, these societal shifts have instilled a sense of anxiety in her daily life. During her morning commute through a diverse community on the outskirts of Paris, Monzemba is conscious of the need to conform to societal norms, discreetly removing her headscarf beneath her coat as she approaches her workplace.
In secular France, the wearing of hijabs has become a contentious issue, contributing to her desire to leave the country behind in search of a space that respects her faith and values, as she explains, “I want to go to work without having to remove my veil.”
Research reflecting the sentiments of over 1,000 French Muslims who relocated abroad reveals a growing trend of emigration, often a response to heightened Islamophobia following the 2015 terror attacks in Paris that claimed 130 lives.
As Olivier Esteves, one of the report’s authors, highlights, “Moral panics regarding secularism and job discrimination lie at the heart of this silent flight,” characterizing this trend as a significant brain drain, largely driven by highly educated French Muslims making the decision to leave.
Fatoumata Sylla, a 34-year-old transitioning from Paris to Senegal, embodies the new wave of migration. “When my father left Africa to come here, he sought a better quality of life for our family. He always stressed the importance of remembering our roots,” she shares.
The tourism software developer emphasizes that her move to establish a business in West Africa is a testament to her commitment to her heritage. Yet, her brother Abdoul expresses reservations about her decision, stating, “I’m worried about her. I hope she’ll do OK, but I don’t feel the need to reconnect with anything.”
He articulates the complex identity struggles faced by those born in France yet grappling with their roots, suggesting, “My culture and my family are firmly here.”
In the bustling streets of Dakar, we meet Salamata Konte, who co-founded the travel agency alongside Gomis, to uncover the experiences that await French Africans settling in Senegal.
After leaving a lucrative banking position in Paris, Konte arrived in Senegal three years ago, only to confront her own identity challenges as she navigated the local landscape.
Initially shocked to be labeled a ‘Frenchie’, she reflected, “I thought, ‘Yes, I was born in France, but I’m Senegalese just like you.’” This cultural dissonance left her feeling rejected both in France and upon her return to Senegal.
Konte’s journey as a businesswoman in Senegal has proven “really difficult,” as she points to societal expectations regarding gender roles in the business sphere. “Senegalese men often resist accepting a woman as a leader,” she observes, underscoring the hurdles faced by women like her in asserting their authority in the workplace.
Despite these challenges, Menka Gomis remains optimistic as he awaits his Senegalese citizenship, excited about the prospects ahead. With his travel agency thriving, he is already in the planning stages for his next entrepreneurial venture—a dating app specifically tailored for the Senegalese market.
