News

On 8 and 9 June 2025, Italian citizens will vote in a landmark referendum that could significantly change the path to citizenship for over a million non-EU residents, including many Africans. The proposal seeks to halve the required period of legal residence for non-EU citizens to apply for Italian citizenship, reducing it from ten to five years. According to the …

The leaders of nine EU countries — Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland — have issued a joint letter urging a rethinking of how the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) applies to migration. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen led the initiative, which calls for greater national discretion …

As Africa prepares to commemorate the centenary of Patrice Lumumba’s birth, Collins Nweke* reflects on the enduring struggle to name a public square in Ostend after the iconic Congolese independence leader, who was born on 2 July 1925. Nweke, a Nigerian-Belgian public intellectual and former councillor in the Belgian port city, recounts the resistance he faced in his efforts to …

This special report confronts an urgent and painful reality: the systemic racism endured by Black children in German schools. What should be spaces of growth and belonging too often become arenas of exclusion and trauma. Through meticulous research, this report illuminates the structural nature of this problem and offers a bold framework for change. It is based on the visionary …

In this powerful reflection, Collins Nweke* takes us on a deeply personal journey through Europe’s evolving relationship with diversity. Drawing on his lived experiences as a Nigerian-born Belgian public servant, father and now grandfather, he explores the shift from multiculturalism – living side by side, to interculturalism, where mutual transformation takes root.  Upfront I want to say that it would …

Pope Leo XIV was officially inaugurated on Sunday in a solemn Mass at St. Peter’s Square, attended by over 200,000 people, including dignitaries from across the globe. As he begins his pontificate, Pope Leo—born Cardinal Robert Prevost—called for global peace and solidarity with war-affected communities, particularly in Gaza, Myanmar and Ukraine. “In the joy of faith and communion, we cannot …

The life of Nigerian parents in the diaspora is a delicate balancing act — between preserving heritage and embracing a new reality. With all the troubles in their country of origin, preserving that desired link to the roots becomes a big challenge. In this heartfelt reflection, Belgium-based Collins Nweke captures the struggle of raising his children across cultures, the pain …

By Sola Jolaoso | The African Courier Planned visa restrictions under the UK’s upcoming immigration reforms could significantly affect African nationals, particularly those from Nigeria, as the British government moves to tighten control over legal migration routes that it believes are being misused for asylum claims. According to a BBC News report published on 6 May 2025, the UK Home …

Violent conflict and insecurity continue to ravage parts of Africa — from the brutal civil war in Sudan and persistent unrest in South Sudan, to Islamist insurgencies spreading across the Sahel and ongoing fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. In recent years, countries such as Nigeria, the Central African Republic, Ethiopia and Mozambique have also grappled with violent …

In a move that’s drawing sharp criticisms across Africa and the diaspora, the United Kingdom has denied South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema a visa — effectively blocking him from delivering a keynote address at the prestigious Cambridge Africa Together Conference on 10 May. The outspoken politician, invited by the University of Cambridge’s African Society to speak …

Germany ushered in a new political era on Tuesday (6 May) as Friedrich Merz, leader of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), was elected Chancellor. However, the path to his election was fraught with unexpected drama in the Bundestag, highlighting underlying tensions within the governing coalition. Surprising Setback in the First Vote Despite the CDU/CSU and Social Democratic Party (SPD) …

Italy has begun implementing a controversial migration deal with Albania, transferring the first group of 40 migrants from Italian detention centres to a facility in northern Albania. The move marks the formal launch of an offshore deportation programme that critics say undermines human rights and legal protections for asylum seekers. Under the agreement signed between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni …

Since its introduction in 2023, Germany’s Opportunity Residence Act has granted over 82,000 people with a suspended deportation order a path to legal status. A new government plan will tighten this scheme, but hope remains, reports Femi Awoniyi. Since January 2023, the Opportunity Residence Act (Chancen-Aufenthaltsrecht) has enabled people with a Duldung (tolerated stay) to receive an 18-month temporary residence …

Burkina Faso finds itself at a crossroads, buoyed by a wave of popular support for its military leadership yet confronted with the pressing need for democratic governance and economic renewal, writes Colins Nweke. In this opinion piece, the Nigerian-Belgian commentator explores how Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s bold leadership, hailed by much of Africa’s frustrated youth, can chart a sustainable path towards …

In a significant policy shift, Namibia has introduced a visa requirement for German nationals and citizens of 32 other countries, effective from 1 April 2025. The policy aims to establish reciprocity with nations that mandate visas for Namibian citizens. The affected countries span Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania, including:​ Europe: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, …

Responding to concerns about rising cases of untimely deaths in the African community, the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Germany (NIDO Germany) recently hosted an online health information session. The event, titled “Health is Wealth,” was organised in collaboration with the Diaspora Medical Mobile Clinic (DMMC), a collective of African medical professionals committed to improving healthcare outcomes in the community. The …

The German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, DAAD) has inaugurated a new regional office in Accra, Ghana, marking a significant expansion of Germany’s academic engagement in West Africa. The office, which will initially focus on Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon, is expected to strengthen scientific collaboration and enhance academic exchange between the region and Germany. The DAAD Regional Office – …

The death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, has reverberated across the globe. In Africa, a continent where Catholicism is rapidly growing, his passing has elicited profound sorrow and reflection. Leaders, faithful and communities have come together to honor a pontiff whose commitment to humility, justice and inclusion left an indelible mark …

The European Commission has proposed designating seven countries as “safe countries of origin,” aiming to expedite the processing of asylum applications from their nationals. Under this proposal, asylum claims from individuals originating from these nations would be subject to accelerated procedures, with decisions expected within three months, compared to the standard six-month timeframe. The Commission justifies this move by citing …

Travellers to the United Kingdom now need a digital travel authorisation called ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation). However, consumer advocates are warning of widespread online scams that are catching many people off guard, German media report. Since 2 April 2025, most non-visa visitors to the UK – including tourists from the EU – must apply for an ETA before entering the …