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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 …

The party leaders of the CDU, CSU and SPD presented the coalition agreement this week, outlining their plans for a joint government. One of the dominant topics is migration. Among other significant changes to the country’s migration policies, Germany’s incoming government, led by Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz of the CDU, intends to scale back recent liberalisations in citizenship law, tighten family …

The European Commission unveiled a draft law on 11 March aimed at expediting deportations of undocumented migrants across Europe — a legislation that critics say undermines human rights and disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including many Africans. The proposal, rushed through amid political pressure, has been sharply condemned by migrant advocacy groups for its lack of consultation and comprehensive impact assessments. …

German higher education is witnessing a notable rise in international enrolments, with the 2024 academic year marking a significant shift in student demographics. Approximately 491,400 new students began their studies at German universities last year—a 2% increase compared to the previous year—with the surge driven entirely by foreign applicants. Recent data from the Federal Statistical Office, as reported by various …

A new study by the German Economic Institute (IW), commissioned by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), has highlighted the significant economic benefits that international students bring to Germany. The research found that international students generate a return eight times greater than the government’s investment in their education. With around 492,600 international students currently studying in Germany, the country has …

The closing event of the first UN Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) took place at the GLS Campus Berlin on Friday, 21 February. The event, which brought together German government officials, scholars, international guests and civil society organisations from the Black community, featured the presentation of the final report of the advisory board set up by the German …