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Pambazuka: A short history of the passport – Thoughts on global mobility from a critical European perspective – Aaron Scheid and Leonard Barlag
A passport seems like something natural and like an obvious necessity in the 21st century. A brief review of history, however, shows that this powerful piece of paper is a result of a rather recent development, that is closely related to colonialism and the emergence of nation states.nIn spring 2015, Senegalese author Fatou Diome, whose…
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Pambazuka: Africa and the Drama of migration – This flood to Europe that will never dry up – Tidiane Kassé
Migration is as old as Africa itself. People have always moved in search of a better life. The economic crisis in Africa fueled by development policies imposed on the continent by the World Bank, IMF and other donors is one of the factors forcing some Africans to undertake dangerous journeys to Europe in an attempt…
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Pambazuka: Dehumanised – A short history of the institutionalized deprivation of migrants‘ rights in (Western) Germany – Jana M. Grieb
The current racist agitations against refugees and their homes cannot be separated from the laws which for decades have put migrants into camps and collective housing. The historical perspective on German immigration politics shows how discourses of distinctive national identities and legislative change mutually reinforce one another.nIn autumn 2015, Germany enjoyed very much the role…
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Pambazuka: Ecocide in the Niger delta – Western resource politics are a reason for flight and migration in Nigeria – Peter Donatus
The majority of refugees comes from war and conflict zones, illegitimate states, areas of natural disasters and economically weak countries. In many cases, companies from the West destroy people’s livelihoods by acting ruthlessly. In Nigeria, the oil extraction and production has devastating consequences for the people living in the Niger Delta. But the Geneva Convention…
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Pambazuka: „Borders create misconceptions“ – Interview with Riadh Ben Ammar
The lack of freedom of movement creates as many prejudices in the Global North as in the Global South. The European project of closing down the borders ensures that ever more people migrate to the North due to a lack of alternatives. The theatre director Riadh Ben Ammar is committed to the idea of freedom…
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Pambazuka: Isolated from Society, Refugee struggles in Germany from a woman`s perspective – Bethi Ngari
After having overcome various obstacles on their dangerous routes, migrants and refugees are confronted with bad living conditions in isolated housing facilities in Europe. Refugee women are especially affected by this, as they are double victims to both systematic racism and sexism.nDuring the long journey to Europe we go through numerous risks. Fear accompanies every…
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Pambazuka: Questioning the conventional narrative on African irregular migrants – Yordanos Seifu Estifanos
Many people from African countries, especially the youth, leave their homes in hope for a better life. The Global North contributes to these migration movements in various direct and indirect ways, from destroying the livelihoods of farmers and fisher (wo)men to the changing climate. Under these conditions migration is often the only way for young…
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Du Burundi au Congo-Brazzaville – En Afrique, le retour des présidents à vie
La démocratie progresse partout en Afrique. Pourtant, de vieilles habitudes persistent dans plusieurs pays : dans l’indifférence internationale, des chefs d’Etat manipulent sans vergogne la Constitution pour prolonger leur règne. Ces dictateurs sortis des urnes se trouvent surtout en Afrique francophone, en raison d’une infernale accumulation de handicaps.nlire l’article
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Tidiane Kassé: Die Migrationsbewegung nach Europa wird niemals aufhören
Migration ist seit jeher ein wichtiger Bestandteil der afrikanischen Gesellschaften. Bis heute ist sie mehrheitlich ein innerafrikanisches Phänomen. Nicht wenige derer, die Richtung Europa aufbrechen, verschwinden auf immer in den Fluten der Meere oder den Wüsten der Sahara – ein unsichtbares Drama, das nicht nur auf das unerträgliche Schweigen afrikanischer Regierungen hinweist, sondern vor allem…
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Neuerscheinung: Dossier Flucht und Migration – Afrikanische Perspektiven
Obwohl das Thema Flucht und Migration zum Hauptthema aktueller gesellschaftlicher und politischer Debatten geworden ist, werden die tatsächlichen Fluchtursachen nur selten thematisiert. Deutsche Waffenexporte, westliche Rohstoffpolitik, globale Umweltzerstörung – Europa trägt Mitverantwortung dafür, dass viele Menschen in Afrika ihre Länder verlassen müssen. Doch diese Zusammenhänge werden innerhalb des sehr einseitig und ahistorisch geprägten europäischen Diskurses…