Menka Gomis, a 39-year-old born in France, has opted to forge his future in Senegal, the birthplace of his parents. His decision reflects a growing trend among French Africans who are leaving France, citing rising racism, discrimination, and nationalism as motivating factors. This phenomenon, termed a “silent exodus,” has caught the attention of BBC Africa, which aims to investigate the reasons behind the discontent prompting individuals like Gomis to seek opportunities abroad.
Gomis has recently established a travel agency dedicated to reconnecting people with their African roots, now operating an office in Senegal. “I grew up in France and faced the harsh realities of racism from a young age,” Gomis recounted during an interview with the BBC World Service. “When I was six years old, I was called the N-word at school—something that happened daily.” He emphasizes his dual identity, stating, “I may be French, but I also come from elsewhere.”
His mother, who immigrated to France as an infant, struggles to understand her son’s choice to leave behind family and friends. For Gomis, the move stems from a sense of responsibility toward his ancestral homeland and the opportunities he sees in Africa. “Africa is like the Americas during the gold rush,” he said. “I believe it’s the continent of the future, with immense potential to build and develop.”
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The historical ties between France and Senegal are deep and complex. Senegal, a predominantly Muslim nation and former French colony, played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade. A recent BBC investigation highlighted the dangers faced by many migrants attempting to reach Europe, particularly France, where a record number sought asylum last year. According to the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA), about 142,500 individuals applied for protection in 2023, with roughly one-third of those requests granted.
While determining how many individuals are making the reverse journey to Africa is challenging, research suggests that many highly educated French citizens from Muslim backgrounds, often the children of immigrants, are quietly emigrating. Many express concerns over increasingly hostile attitudes toward immigration in France, particularly as right-wing political parties gain influence.
In response to rising anti-immigrant sentiment, Prime Minister Michel Barnier and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau have pledged to tighten immigration policies, both legal and illegal. Their efforts include advocating for legislative changes at both the national and European levels.
Fanta Guirassy, a 34-year-old single mother and nursing practitioner in Villemomble, a suburb of Paris, plans to move to Senegal, her mother’s birthplace. “For years, we’ve felt increasingly unsafe in France. It’s sad to say, but that’s the reality,” she shared. Guirassy’s anxiety heightened when her son was recently stopped and searched by police while hanging out with friends. “As a mother, it’s traumatic to witness such events, especially when they hit so close to home.”
The social climate in France has been tumultuous, particularly following the police shooting of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk, a French citizen of Algerian descent, which sparked nationwide riots. These incidents highlighted longstanding frustrations regarding the treatment of ethnic minorities in France. A recent survey indicated that 91% of Black respondents reported experiencing racial discrimination.
In the aftermath of the riots, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called on France to confront issues of racial discrimination within its law enforcement. However, the French foreign ministry dismissed these claims, asserting that accusations of systemic racism are unfounded.
Data from the French interior ministry indicates that racist crimes surged by a third last year, with over 15,000 incidents recorded based on race, religion, or ethnicity. For Audrey Monzemba, a Congolese schoolteacher, the shifting societal attitudes have become anxiety-provoking. Each morning, she commutes through a multicultural, working-class neighborhood, discreetly removing her headscarf before arriving at school—a practice shaped by France’s controversial secularism laws.
A growing number of French Muslims are reportedly leaving the country, driven by rising Islamophobia, particularly after the 2015 attacks in Paris. Olivier Esteves, co-author of the report France, You Love It But You Leave It, noted that this exodus represents a significant brain drain, as many highly educated individuals choose to depart.
Fatoumata Sylla, a 34-year-old tourism software developer, plans to move to Senegal to establish a business, echoing her father’s advice to remember their roots. Her brother Abdoul, however, remains skeptical about their heritage. “I don’t feel the need to reconnect with anything,” he told the BBC, emphasizing his ties to France.
In Dakar, Gomis’s travel agency is flourishing, and he eagerly anticipates obtaining Senegalese citizenship. As he explores new ventures, including a dating app tailored for Senegal, Gomis remains optimistic about the opportunities that await him and others in his community. “The future is bright,” he said, “and I believe that Africa is where I can truly thrive.”
