The Kenya-Germany Migration Deal

 

Germany and Kenya have reached a migration pact. The agreement allows Kenyans who are skilled and semi-skilled to work in Germany. Those skilled professionals of Kenya are not be provided jobs in their country. Germany wants to fill certain positions. This might sound like a positive economic development, but there are some concerning stipulations. Kenyans in Germany could be repatriated who have uncertain legal status. The pact could create a brain drain for Kenya and subject Kenyans in Germany to labor exploitation. There are Germans who could work certain jobs, but employers want workers who would not demand higher wages or salaries. Germany has taken a number of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. Syrians, Ukrainians, and now Kenyans are becoming a part of Germany. Immigration has become a major issue and has caused a surge in far-right political parties. Kenyan doctors, nurses, and teachers can now come to work in Germany. The loss of these professionals only hurt Kenya. Most will probably not return to Kenya and seek to get German citizenship. This only makes Germany economically more powerful by using the Kenyan workforce. President William Ruto's choice could have negative consequences long after his administration. Rarely does Germany send its expertise to African countries. Kenya must find an incentive to keep their workforce in the country. Increasing pay and the standard of living will make citizens remain in Kenya.  

The UK Race Riots

 

The UK erupted in racist violence. The European press refers to the incidents as riots, but fail to mention what type. Race riots are cases in which  mass violence is directed at certain race. Homes and business are destroyed by the criminals to decimate a community. Migration and economic downturn have given ammunition to far-right groups. The English Defense League has become prominent in the xenophobic nativist nationalism movement. These are not simply riots rather that have an anti-black, anti-Asian, and Islamophobic aspect. The race riots happened in areas of mostly white and working class areas. Economics can be a explanation. Immigrants are scapegoated for taking jobs. The inability to handle immigration has caused frustration. Foreign policy has resulted in a large number of refugees from war zones. The legacy of colonialism from the British Empire has played a role. Immigrants from India, Pakistan, Ghana, and Jamacia came to the UK when the British Empire dissolved. The UK never became an integrated society. Instead a myth was created of a multicultural society with liberal democratic values . This masked the de facto segregation which persists in the United Kingdom. Being part of the EU brought over more skilled workers from other countries, but did not benefit the majority of the population. Brexit was a way of trying to assert economic independence, yet that just might not be possible in a world of globalization. Nothing was learned from the riots in 2011. Anti-racist demonstrators are making attempts to stop the violence. This is not effective as long as law enforcement is on the side of the political establishment. Law enforcement is also more likely to sympathize with far-right convictions. There are attempts to place the blame on social media and disinformation coming from various platforms. The BBC and other television networks can be just as culpable for spreading disinformation and hate. The race riots have been going on since July 30th and the government appears to be losing control. As economic and geopolitical conditions get worse, the far-right will get more powerful. France or Germany could experience race riots similar to the UK.   

President Nana Akufo-Addo : What Africa Must Do to Develop

The president of Ghana Nana Aukufo-Addo explains African nations should not seek aid from European nations. Development should be a continent wide effort to build economies to reduce dependence. This requires investment in youth so they do not leave the country. Every African that leaves and lives in Europe only makes those countries more powerful. There has been a change in political mindset and the realization that nations such as France do not have African interests in mind. President Aukufo-Addo expressed these ideas during a press conference in early 2020. President Macron seemed to be shocked at these statements. What most EU countries fear is an age of African assertion, which would ultimately change geopolitical policy objectives. France wants more influence in its former area of colonization, but this will not happen without resistance. As President Nana Aukufo-Addo explained, Africa should not ask for aid, other nations should be getting aid from Africa. Ghana could be leading a way to a new pan-African political revival. The challenge is convincing other  African nations to be unified in on economic policy.