Germany's First African-Born Lawmaker to Step Down Amid Harassment and Threats

After serving as Germany's first African-born member of Parliament since 2013, Karamba Diaby, a 62-year-old Senegal native, has announced that he will not seek re-election in the upcoming general elections. His decision comes amidst a surge of hate mail, death threats, and violent attacks on his office.

Not Driven by Racism

Although Mr. Diaby downplayed racism as the primary reason for his decision, he highlighted the need to make way for a new generation of politicians and spend more time with family. In a letter to his colleagues, he emphasized that racism was "not the main reason" for his choice. Nevertheless, he has been vocal about the increasing abuse he has faced in recent years.

The lawmaker's district office was targeted in 2020 when bullets were fired through the window, and it was subjected to an arson attack last year. Mr. Diaby expressed concern for the safety of his staff, emphasizing that the threats and attacks were significant factors influencing his decision to step down.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Despite the challenges he has confronted, Mr. Diaby affirmed in an interview with The New York Times that he would not allow himself to be intimidated. However, he acknowledged the gravity of the situation, particularly the impact on his staff's well-being.

As Germany prepares for its next general elections, Karamba Diaby's decision to step down marks the end of an impactful tenure in Parliament, prompting reflection on the broader societal issues he faced during his time in office.