THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
William Chedjou, a Cameroonian, was stabbed to death during an argument over parking space on Thursday evening in Berlin. The incident took place shortly after 6 pm in Böttgerstraße and the victim and perpetrator did not previously know each other, the police said.
According to media reports, the 37-year-old man was stabbed in the stomach by a Turkish man, initially causing life-threatening injuries. The victim was taken to hospital where he died late on Thursday evening, according to a police spokesman.
The news of the senseless violence has sent shock into the African community in Berlin, in Germany and beyond. Already as news broke of the African’s death, many Africans in the neighbourhood trooped to the murder scene in protest.
Even though the alleged culprit has been arrested by the police, which is conducting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident, the Black community has made it clear that it won’t rest until justice is done in the case.
On Friday afternoon, about 100 persons marched through Berlin-Gesundbrunnen, the district in which the killing occurred, under the motto “Justice for William”.
“We want the offence to be properly investigated and the perpetrator to be punished,” a participant in the march was quoted by the Berlin Zeitung as having said. Some of the participants were reported to have travelled to Berlin from Bremen and Cottbus to take part in the protest action.
The African Network of Germany has reacted to the incident. “With deep shock and indignation, we have learned of the tragic death of our brother, who was stabbed on the street in Berlin. As the Federal Chairperson of TANG – The African Network of Germany – I call on the police and all relevant authorities to pursue and convict the perpetrator with the full force of the law,” Dr Sylvie Nantcha said in a statement.
“It is unbearable that Black people are attacked and killed in broad daylight in Berlin. We cannot and must not tolerate this violence. Our community feels increasingly unsafe, and we demand decisive action to ensure our safety,” the statement added.
According to an activist who prefers to remain anonymous before Black organisations in the city take a collective position, the task before the community is to ensure that justice is done in the case.
“We should set up a monitoring group to follow the police investigations and the judicial process to ensure that the culprit is punished for his crime to act as a deterrent to other potential knife terrorists”.
He explained that monitoring the judicial process would help to recognise and address potential injustices or biases that could make the killer escape with minor punishment. “By observing and participating in the court case, the Black community will show its determination to fight for justice,” he added.
Further protest actions are planned by the Black community.
Sola Jolaoso
