Many Africans living in Germany were anxiously bracing for the outcome of the German election after migration became a major campaign issue. Many feared that a victory for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) would have led to mass deportations.
However, Friedrich Merz, leader of the center-right Christian Democratic alliance (CDU/CSU), who looks set to become German chancellor after his party emerged victorious, has also taken a hard stance on migration.
Merz promised a “fundamental” overhaul of asylum rules and permanent border control last month, following the fatal stabbing of two people, including a 2-year-old boy, in the German city of Aschaffenburg. The suspect, a 28-year-old Afghan, was already subject to a deportation order.
The CDU/CSU scored around 29% of votes, while the AfD achieved 20.8% — the party’s strongest result to date at the federal level. While the AfD looks set to be sidelined from coalition talks, the surge in support for the party has concerned some Africans.
“I was worried that the AfD came in second for a multiplicity of reasons,” Victoria Agbai, a Ghanaian businesswoman who has lived and worked in Germany, told DW. “The AfD has been very strong in its opposition to immigrants and all of that. There’s a history of rising nationalism,” she told DW.
Should African immigrants still worry?
Some analysts say the outcome of the election should put an end to the anxiety among Africans.
“I think to a reasonable extent the election has put a halt to the rise of … the far-right party. Germany has demonstrated that European countries can actually [roll] back that wave,” Dr. Oluwole Ojewale, a foreign policy analyst, told DW.
Germany has reformed its migration law to make it easier for skilled African workers to migrate to Germany, and Berlin has launched an initiative to encourage irregular Ghanaian migrants to repatriate. It has now been given support from the European Union. An advisory center has helped over 5,000 Ghanaian migrants to return to their homeland.
Samuel Ackom, a corperate worker based in Ghana’s capital, Accra, who plans to travel to Germany to work, told DW that he is concerned about the opportunities being slimmer this time around.
“I noticed some profound statements. In terms of immigration, they [Germany] will be putting a de facto freeze on immigration, and that is definitely going to affect people within Africa who would want to travel to Germany,” Ackom said.
Johnstone Kpilaakaa from Nigeria shared Ackom’s concerns. “Regarding [the] tightening of Germany’s borders, I do have concerns that it might affect migration to the country. Many Nigerians travel to Germany for education or work. Stricter border control could make it difficult for them to do so,” he told DW.
Africans urged not to panic
Ojewale said that Merz’s hard stance on tightening Germany’s borders is aimed at irregular migrants, so Africans should not panic.
“This is Angela Merkel’s party and, to a reasonable extent from what we have seen before, [it] is a globalist party, so I think Africa has nothing to fear in terms of its foreign policy of Germany towards Africa. I think it is going to be a Germany that is open to doing business and collaborating with African countries,” Ojewale said.
However, Ojewale suggested that, under the new German government, many undocumented Africans would have to look for new destinations in Europe.
“Most of the countries [including Germany] are only clamping down on illegal migrants. So, whether they are Africans or they are Asians coming from any part of the world, I think no reasonable country wants an influx of undocumented migrants at their borders,” he said.
Germany has close ties with Africa, targeted at boosting Africa’s economy, providing security assistance and promoting good governance.
The German development agency GIZ has undertaken several projects on the continent targeted at vulnerable groups of society and providing employable skills to Africa’s young population.
Young Africans like Jude Duncan in Accra hope these supports would remain under a new German government.
“From the onset, it’s quite clear there’s not much space for African leaders in terms of aid and grants. You go back to the work some German development agencies and institutions like GIZ do here [Africa], it clearly [shows] that substantial amount of aid is given to us,” he said.
Duncan though fears his country, Ghana, would have to find opportunities for funding.
“It’s important for African leaders now to decide to work together and ensure homegrown solutions are put together to impact the lives of Africans on the continent,” he said.
Qoseem Suleiman in Abuja, Nigeria, told DW that despite some apprehension, he is still expecting continuation in German support to Africa.
“I expect a good relationship; I expect the relationship between Nigeria and Germany to continue the way it has always been. Germany has been one of Nigeria’s biggest partners when it comes to electricity and rural electrification. I have seen lots of German funded projects,” he said.
Germany’s skilled labor shortage
Kpilaakaa said Germany’s strong economic prospects and plans to boost its skilled labor shortage would provide some opening for Africa’s young population.
“It is worth noting that Germany has a strong economy and a shortage of skilled workers in certain fields, so I am hopeful that they would continue to welcome talented and qualified individuals from Nigeria and other countries,” he said.
Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc now faces coalition talks. Merz is keen on getting to work right away to secure a coalition to form a new government.
Ojewale says Africa would still have to wait to see the new direction from Germany but anticipates some changes in policy towards Africa.
“There is definitely going to be some changes in the foreign policy of Germany. Like the issues that afflict Africa now like the Sudan conflict, like the war in Congo in which we are constantly searching for solutions,” he said.
Agbai is also expecting policies from the new German government that would still promote trade between Africa and Germany.
“Ghana is very dependent on export to the EU, for the survival of the economy. And we as an exporting company are watching closely,” she said.
Edited by: Keith Walker
