As Russkaya Germaniya notes, among the flow of refugees dreaming of a better life, not only Syrians, Iraqis and residents of Balkan states arrive in Germany every day. Among the asylum seekers are also residents of the poorest countries of the African continent. What chances do these people have of staying in Germany?
ERITREA
Most African refugees who file applications for asylum in Germany come from Eritrea. At least 5,000 people leave this country on the coast of the Red Sea every month. While the capital Asmara is the most beautiful city in Africa, the state itself is considered one of the harshest dictatorships on the continent. That is why 77% of applicants from Eritrea eventually receive political asylum and the right to permanent residence in Germany.
The former Italian colony gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993. Since then, the country has been ruled by President Isaias Afwerki. How human rights are observed in this country is difficult to say, as the government tries to keep Western journalists and observers out. At the same time, the organization Reporters Without Borders considers Eritrea the most dangerous country for journalists in the world.
It is also known that Eritreans suffer from indefinite military service. Both men and women must serve in the national army for decades, without hope of ever being demobilized. Soldier's pay does not allow a normal existence, while deserters are punished very severely.
NIGERIA
Nigeria is considered one of the most unstable countries in the world. The state became independent in 1960, followed by numerous military coups. Since 2010, the radical Islamist group Boko Haram has been imposing its rule in the north, whose members terrorize civilians and especially Christian believers. More than 13,000 citizens have become victims of terrorists in recent times.
The oil-rich country is also one of the most corrupt, not only in Africa. However, the chances of Nigerians obtaining asylum in Germany are not very high. Among the 3,446 applicants who filed documents in Germany from January to July 2015, only 6% were recognized as refugees.
SOMALIA
Somalia is called a "black hole" and a country where the state has effectively surrendered its position. After the overthrow of President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, Somalia could not form a government for 20 years. Since 2009, the Islamic group Al-Shabaab has controlled the southern and central parts of the country. In 2012, a new president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, was elected, but security in the country did not improve. In the fall of 2013, Al-Shabaab fighters killed more than 70 people in a Nairobi shopping center out of revenge. Thousands of people die from hunger in the country every year.
30% of Somalis have been able to remain in Germany as recognized refugees. From January to July 2015, 3,347 applications were filed by citizens of this country.
GAMBIA
The president of the smallest state in Africa since 1994 is Yahya Jammeh. The country's income comes from tourism and peanut plantations. European experts call the domestic political situation "fairly calm" and at the same time "unstable". This means that calm periods alternate with coup attempts. Human rights organizations talk about torture and arrests of opposition members. People of non-traditional sexual orientation also suffer from persecution in the country: homosexuals are punished with long prison terms.
Among 1,548 asylum seekers (from January to July 2015), only 1% of Gambians received the right to permanently reside in Germany.