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- Convenors:
-
Katrin Sowa
(University of Cologne)
Sofie Steinberger (University of Cologne)
Helene Batemona-Abeke (Pamoja Afrika e.V. Köln)
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- Discussants:
-
Helene Batemona-Abeke
(Pamoja Afrika e.V. Köln)
Lillian Petry
Samy Charchira (Institut für Deutsch-Marokkanische Studien (IDMS))
- Format:
- Public Roundtable
- Streams:
- Anthropology (x) Decoloniality & Knowledge Production (y)
- Location:
- Rautenstrauch Joost Museum
- Start time:
- 3 June, 2023 at
Time zone: Europe/Berlin
- Session slots:
- 1
Short Abstract:
The round table is open for the public, where researchers and socio-political actors critically discuss potential futures and historic continuities of African-European border relations. It accompanies a student/activistic intervention in the anthropological museum of Cologne.
Long Abstract:
This round table acts as an interface between science and public, as it brings together researchers, socio-political actors and activists to reflect on potential futures of African-European border relations. This look into the future certainly must take into account the past and (neo)colonial continuities.The great majority of borders in Africa have forcefully been implemented by European colonialists, without regarding already existing boundaries (e.g. Mbembe 2001). The contemporary sealing of Europe's borders against African migration builds on a long history of racialized exclusion. Again, "open" border developments within Africa are as well shaped by foreign interests. But instead of presenting the continent as well as its inhabitants as passive victims of colonial border relicts or of the EU's restrictive migration policies, African borderland research has been emphasizing the active role of stakeholders (e.g. Nugent & Asiwaju 1996) in border and future-making processes.
Beyond the boundaries between the academic world and the "outside" public, we would like to bring together diverse perspectives to reflect on the following questions: Which ongoing border developments can be observed and/or experienced? How do stakeholders deal with these? Which demands are made from people affected by discriminative border regimes? Where is room for participation? And which alternative future border utopias can be envisioned?
This event is organized as an accompanying programme of the exhibition b/or/der st/or/ies in Rautenstrauch Joost Museum, based on dissertation projects in Morocco, Spain and Kenya in cooperation with Pamoja Afrika e.V. Köln.
Accepted papers:
Session 1Tsegay Alem Hagos (Migrafrica)
Paper short abstract:
The case of Ethiopian and Eritrean refugees in Kampala and their economic contribution to the national economy is based on research and experience as a community leader. It claims open borders and economic integration of refugees, and argues that Europe can learn from this African perspective.
Paper long abstract:
The border regimes of the global north such as of European countries have been restricting asylum seekers and refugees especially from Africa. In contrast, the Ugandan government is playing a significant role to allow refugees to work freely, study and also to move from one place to another instead of following strict encampment strategies. The East African country is said to be a global role model as a host country for refugees.
This contribution is based on a research project, which presents empirical evidence on economic activities facilitated by Ethiopian and Eritrean refugees in Kampala in general and its positive impact to the national economy. It is also inspired by first-hand experience and activities as a social worker and a leader of a refugee community in Kampala.
It critically analyses the challenges for host countries, and suggests for other states not only to accept but also to review their strategies, border policies and legal frameworks by integrating refugees and asylum seekers in national developments in the future. This will further engage African asylum seekers as skilled workers and business people to actively participate in livelihoods interventions that can stimulate both local and national economic growth and development – in Africa and in Europe.
Suleiman Aliyu Helene Batemona-Abeke (Pamoja Afrika e.V. Köln)
Paper short abstract:
As young Africans who fled the war in Ukraine, we are now threatened with deportation in Germany. We are experiencing what borders in their various manifestations mean. From the unequal treatment at the physical borders to what we encounter from the authorities and society facing racism.
Paper long abstract:
As young Africans who fled the war in Ukraine, we are now threatened with deportation in Germany. We are experiencing what borders in their various manifestations mean physical and psychological. From the unequal treatment at the physical borders between the European countries to what we encounter now from the authorities in Germany and society in general by facing racism.
We are a group of medical students, doctors and dentists, engineers, project managers, business economists who until recently lived, studied or worked in Ukraine. Now we have sought refuge in Germany from the murderous war. We bring with us a wealth of resources and skills that could be a blessing for Germany.
During the war, our lives were threatened. We had to flee, many of us had to leave almost everything we owned behind. We had terrible experiences during our flight. We experienced racism and discrimination. Some of us were imprisoned because of lost documents, others were raped, still others were almost kidnapped. On the trains we fled on, people were segregated by skin colour, some were asked to vacate their seats or leave the train. At the border, we were separated by skin colour and had to wait for hours - unlike the white people in the other queue. In Germany, the racist discrimination has not stopped.
We demand from the Federal Government, especially from Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser, a right of residence as Ukrainian nationals automatically receive. We demand nothing other than equal rights. We have all fled from war. According to Article 3 of the German Basic Law, no one may be discriminated against because of their descent, homeland or origin.
We also demand uncomplicated transitional arrangements for students so that they can continue their studies in Germany, if necessary, in order to have a perspective again.
We want to finally come to peace and return to a dignified life. We want the fear to stop and get out of the terrible uncertainty. We want to give something back to our families in Africa and contribute to the well-being of German society.
We demand that all people in our situation get equal rights and this chance. It is a question of human rights.
We too have fled from the hail of bombs from Ukraine - but as Africans we do not have the same rights in Germany as refugees with Ukrainian passports. During our flight we experienced violence and racism - now we are threatened with deportation.
Our residence permits expire and it is unclear how our lives can continue. We literally do not know today how our lives can continue. We demand equal rights and the opportunity to gain a foothold in Germany. Because we have no other chance.
But we cannot simply return to our countries. Our families and communities have in some cases given up their livelihoods to give us and them a better future. They have sold land and placed all their bets on us. Some of our papers are lying unreachable in Ukraine. If we cannot stay in Germany, not only our dreams of a better future would be shattered. We would have to disappoint our families and go back to existential hardship.