Is Germany being closed off to refugees from Africa? | DW News Africa

Key Concepts

• Voluntary Resettlement Program: A program run by Germany with the UN and EU to bring vulnerable refugees to safety.
• UNHCR: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, involved in vetting refugees for resettlement.
• Kakuma Refugee Camp: A large refugee camp in Kenya, characterized by harsh conditions and limited resources.
• Nest Program: A program in Germany that provides support and mentorship to resettled refugee families.
• Irregular Migration: Migration that occurs outside of legal channels.
• Article 16A of the German Constitution: Guarantees the right to asylum.
• AFD (Alternative for Germany): A far-right, anti-immigration political party in Germany.

Germany's Broken Promise to Refugees

The Situation

• 183 refugees in Nairobi, Kenya, who were approved for resettlement in Germany, were forced to return to the Kakuma refugee camp.
• This was due to the new German government's decision to end the voluntary resettlement program.
• The refugees had undergone vetting by both Germany and the UNHCR, a process that took one to two years.
• Many had been living in the camp for 12-13 years and had high hopes of starting a new life in Germany.

Personal Stories

• Shastamukunda: Fled the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo and was being resettled to Germany with her son. She described feeling "saved" when they were initially accepted.
• Dennis Kumare (Pastor): From South Sudan, he and his family went through medical checks and security interviews and even received flight bags before being told their journey was discontinued. He noted the devastating impact on the refugees' morale and health.
• Makande: Referred to the Kakuma camp as "hell" due to the lack of water and resources. His family went without water for days.

The German Government's Rationale

• The center-right party won the German election on a promise of curbing migration.
• The coalition agreement included ending voluntary admission programs.
• The government aims to take a "new course on migration" with border checks, rejections of asylum seekers, and deportation drives.
• The government's actions are partly driven by the need to counter the far-right AFD party and regain control over the migration issue.
• The message they want to send is that "Germany is closed" to irregular migration.

Legal Challenges

• An immigration lawyer representing clients from South Sudan and Afghanistan stated that over 50 families and individuals are suing the German government.
• The lawyer argues that the government is ignoring legally binding acceptances for resettlement.

Conditions in Kakuma Refugee Camp

• The camp is located in a remote, arid region of northern Kenya with limited access to food and water.
• Funding cuts have exacerbated the situation, leading to food shortages.
• Refugees who returned had given up their homes and jobs and spent their money preparing for their journey to Germany.

The Impact on Hope

• The refugees had dreamt of ending their displacement and providing a better future for their children.
• The decision to end the resettlement program shattered these hopes.

Ashel Lual's Story: A Success of the Resettlement Program

Ashel's Background

• Fled South Sudan with her family 10 years ago due to the lack of basic necessities like school, food, and healthcare.
• She remembers having to work to bring money to her family.

The Impact of Resettlement

• Ashel expressed immense happiness at the prospect of moving to Germany, where she could go to school and have a better life.
• She emphasized the importance of her mother being able to attend school in Germany, something that was not possible in Africa.
• She considers her resettlement in Germany a "big blessing."

The Nest Program's Role

• The Nest program provides comprehensive support to resettled refugee families, including:
  • Finding and preparing housing.
  • Picking them up from the airport.
  • Providing clothing.
  • Enrolling children in school and adults in German courses.
  • Assisting with visits to job centers, immigration offices, and banks.
  • Organizing health insurance and medical care.
• The program helps refugees integrate into German life and navigate complex bureaucratic processes.

Petition Against Ending the Program

• Root Durks is circulating a petition to oppose the German government's decision to end the resettlement program.
• The petition aims to allow the 138 refugees who were already approved to come to Germany and to continue the resettlement program.

The Current State of Asylum in Germany

Limited Safe and Legal Routes

• The only way to safely request asylum in Germany is at Germany's borders.
• Applying for a visa is not a realistic option for many refugees due to the toughening of Germany's approach to migration.

Shifting Political Landscape

• The center ground in German politics has shifted, with only the far-left and some in the Green Party willing to criticize the government's stance on migration.
• The stories of refugees are not reaching the wider public in Germany.

Potential for Change

• There is pressure on the government to reverse some of the plans to stop resettlement programs, potentially leading to a decision before the end of the year.
• However, it remains uncertain whether this will bring relief to the affected refugees.

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Conclusion

The video highlights the devastating impact of Germany's decision to end its voluntary resettlement program on vulnerable refugees who were on the verge of starting a new life. It underscores the human cost of political decisions driven by anti-immigration sentiment and the challenges faced by refugees seeking safe and legal pathways to asylum in Germany. While there is potential for change, the future remains uncertain for many affected individuals. The success story of Ashel Lual serves as a reminder of the transformative power of resettlement programs when they are allowed to function.