Nationals of West African countries recently staged a protest in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR) capital, to denounce the new residence permits acquisition fees.
A footage released by Africanews shows protestors protesting outside the Nigerian embassy in Bangui. They protested against the charges and labelled them as exorbitant and discriminatory.
Recently, the parliament of Central African Republic approved changes to the immigration law, that prescribe 100,000 Francs ($110) as fees for residence cards for citizens of the ECOWAS bloc and 50,000 Francs ($55) for nationals of Central African states.
While talking to the press during the protest, Mark John, a protester said: “They force us to pay 650,000 ($708), which is why all the ECOWAS countries are gathered this morning at the Nigerian Embassy to voice our anger over what is happening in CAR. Currently, our brothers and sisters are in prison because of this paper.”
There’s been no comment by the country’s authorities on these allegations.
A lot of foreigners from West Africa are living in Central African Republic. In most cases, they work in the business and retail sectors.
