Germany's first African-born member of parliament has announced that he will not stand in the next federal election in 2025. Karamba Diaby, 62, made the announcement just weeks after receiving a death threat.
"After months of consideration and weighing, I, in consultation with my family, have come to the decision not to run for the Bundestag again," he wrote in a letter to his party colleagues, the German Press Agency reported.
“I look back on 11 enriching and successful years in federal politics. After three legislative periods, it’s time to make way for the next political generation and explore new paths,” he said in the letter.
Since 2013, centre-left Social Democrats's Diaby has been representing the Halle constituency. His political career had not been an easy one. He received hate mail, racist attacks and threats over the years.
On asked whether he will be engaged in the party activities, Diaby said he will face big challenges and hard work.
“At the same time, I’m looking forward to having more time for my family and friends and our allotment,” Diaby had said.
Diaby had moved to Germany on a study grant in 1985. Though he had "unpleasant incidents" during his political journey, he kept on going. Earlier in the interviews, Diaby noted that the entry of the populist AfD party into the Bundestag. “They raise aggressive slogans,” he had said.
After receiving the latest threat, the MP said "For me the level of hatred and agitation has reached a new level. I now encounter it every day in the news and commentaries, but also in the German Bundestag."
“I won’t let myself be intimidated. I am fighting back. The hatred that the AfD shows every day with its misanthropic narratives is reflected in concrete psychological and physical violence! This jeopardises cohesion in our society,” he added.
He said this latest threat against him “crossed a new red line”. Diaby's Halle constituency office was attacked and bullets were fired through the window. Even some of his staff and colleagues faced blackmail attempts and threats.
Diaby has a PhD in chemistry and he was born in Senegal.
