(Febr. 2016) But Gauck also spoke openly about the real aims of his trip. In regard to Germany’s growing interest in Africa, he explained: “German businesses have long recognized that it is worthwhile to invest in such cities [Lagos and other West African metropolitan areas].” With his trip, he was seeking to “focus the attention of Germany and Europe on emerging Africa.”

With reference to the need for a “stable world order”—a code word for the enforcement of German imperialism’s geo-strategic and economic interests worldwide—Gauck addressed the stream of refugees coming to Europe from Africa and repeated his demand for “limiting the influx.” He told his listeners, “Migration to Europe will not solve the fundamental problems of development in Africa.”