THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
A Critical Analysis of Systemic Racism in German Family Law The treatment of Black parents and children within Germany’s family law system, exemplified by the ongoing separation of a Black man and his young son, reveals deeply embedded structural inequities that amount to violations of international human rights law, writes Amal Abbass*. Through legal, historical, sociological and intersectional lenses, she …
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August, 2025
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25 August
Berlin Renames Controversial Street, Honours African Scholar
After a protracted legal battle and decades of public debate, Berlin’s Mohrenstraße in the Mitte district has officially been renamed Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße. The renaming was celebrated on Saturday, 23 August, coinciding with the UNESCO International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition. The ceremony was only made possible after the Oberverwaltungsgericht Berlin-Brandenburg overturned a last-minute injunction granted …
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22 August
Activists embark on road trip across Africa to campaign for a visa-free continent
Former Ghanaian MP and dedicated Pan-Africanist Ras Mubarak is leading a group of activists on an ambitious campaign to mobilize support for a visa-free and united Africa. The Trans African Tourism and Unity Campaign, a 163-day, 40,000-kilometer road trip spanning 39 African countries, advocates for the elimination of visa restrictions for African citizens travelling within the continent. Launched on 18 …
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22 August
ISD condemns Germany’s position on colonial reparations
Germany has once again ruled out reparations for colonial-era atrocities, a decision that has sparked outrage among Black German advocates and descendants of genocide victims in Africa. The Initiative Schwarze Menschen in Deutschland (ISD), a leading Black German advocacy group, condemned the government’s stance as “deeply unjust and historically whitewashing.” The organization said Berlin’s reliance on the legal principle of …
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22 August
Germany opens new Schengen visa application centres in Africa
In a welcome development, Germany has unveiled four new Schengen visa application centres — two in Nigeria (Abuja and Lagos), one in Yaoundé (Cameroon) and another in Nicosia (Cyprus). This expansion, launched under a renewed seven-year agreement with VFS Global, seeks to streamline visa services and reduce bottlenecks affecting applicants. VFS Global is the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services …
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22 August
EU: New system requires travellers to submit biometric data at entry points
The European Commission has confirmed that its long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin its phased rollout on 12 October 2025, launching a digital transformation of border management across 29 European countries, including Schengen-associated states. Designed to modernise the cumbersome process of passport stamping, the EES will capture biometric data — fingerprints, facial images along with travel document and entry/exit details …
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22 August
Major airline tightens rules on powerbanks on flights
From 1 October 2025, Emirates passengers will face stricter rules when travelling with powerbanks. The Dubai-based airline says the move is aimed at enhancing onboard safety amid rising incidents involving lithium batteries across the aviation industry. According to the new policy, passengers may still bring powerbanks on board under certain conditions, but using or charging them during the flight is …
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22 August
Nollywood stars light up Frankfurt as festival celebrates cinema and culture
The magic of cinema shone brightly as the Nollywood Film Festival Germany (NFFG) and the Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA) concluded in spectacular fashion, celebrating two unforgettable days of storytelling, creativity, and cultural pride. A Grand Opening at Deutsches Filmmuseum The festival opened on August 8 at the prestigious Deutsches Filmmuseum with the world premiere of KARMA, produced by festival …
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13 August
EU Court Tightens Rules on Safe Country Designations in Asylum Cases
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has issued a landmark ruling that raises the standard for EU countries when designating “safe countries of origin” in asylum procedures. Persons from safe countries of origin have little chance of being granted asylum in the EU. According to the Court, a country can only be considered safe if all groups within its population, …
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13 August
Germany: ISD demands justice over 15-year-old Black boy’s suicide in custody
The suicide of a 15-year-old Black boy in a German juvenile detention centre has sparked fierce debates about racism, violence and systemic neglect within the country’s justice system. The incident, which occurred on 1 August at the Justizvollzugsanstalt (JVA) Ottweiler in Saarland, has drawn parallels to past cases of Black people dying in state custody, raising urgent questions about institutional …
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