Faith Nyasuguta
Karamba Diaby, the first African-born member of the German parliament (Bundestag), has announced he will not seek re-election in next year’s federal election. This decision comes weeks after he disclosed receiving numerous hate mails, including racist slurs and death threats, aimed at him and his staff.
Diaby, who joined the Bundestag in 2013, was celebrated by equality campaigners for this historic milestone. At 62, he stated his desire to spend more time with his family and to allow space for younger politicians. However, his announcement closely follows his disclosure of the hate-filled messages he and his team have endured.
Diaby insists that the racist abuse and threats were “not the main reasons” for his departure. Despite frequently affirming that he would not be intimidated by such threats, there is widespread belief that they have contributed to his decision.
In recent interviews, Diaby has highlighted the increasingly hostile atmosphere within parliament and society, attributing it to the far-right populist AfD’s entry into the Bundestag in 2017. “Since 2017, the tone in the German parliament has become harsher,” Diaby told the Berlin Playbook podcast of Politico.
He pointed to the aggressive speeches from AfD colleagues, which he described as derogatory and hurtful, marking a stark contrast from the period between 2013 and 2017. This aggressive rhetoric, he argued, fuels violence and aggression in society.
As a member of the Social Democrats (SPD), Diaby was elected to parliament alongside Charles M. Huber of the Christian Democrats, both becoming the first black members of the Bundestag. Their election was hailed as a groundbreaking moment for equal rights in Germany.
Originally from Senegal, Diaby holds a PhD in chemistry and moved to East Germany in 1985. Over recent years, he has faced increasing racial abuse. His constituency office in Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, has been targeted by arsonists and had bullets fired through its windows. Diaby’s staff have also faced blackmail attempts and threats aimed at deterring them from working for him.
“In the last few years I’ve faced several murder threats. This has now overstepped the mark,” Diaby stated. He blamed the AfD for sowing hatred through misanthropic narratives, which, he believes, leads to both psychological and physical violence. “This endangers the cohesion of our society. We cannot simply accept this.”
Despite his decision to step down, Diaby has vowed to remain active within the SPD. In a letter to party colleagues, he committed to working hard in the 15 months leading up to the election. He expressed optimism about having more time for his family and friends and tending to their allotment.
Diaby’s departure indicates the challenges faced by minority politicians in Germany and raises questions about the impact of rising far-right rhetoric on democratic institutions and social cohesion.
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