My background
Childhood – Education and profession – Learn more
Childhood
I was born in Marsassoum, Senegal, in 1961. More than half a century later, in 2013, I became the first African-born black person to be elected to the German Bundestag.
As an orphan, I learned early on how important cohesion and solidarity are: My older sister took me into her family and raised me as her own son. I owe her a lot.
Education and profession
In my mid-20s, I received a scholarship to study in the former GDR. I studied chemistry at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and earned my doctorate in geoecology.
Afterwards, I worked professionally in various non-profit organizations in the field of education, youth policy, diversity and human rights. From 2011 to 2013, I worked as an officer in the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt. From 2009 to 2015, I was a city councilor in Halle (Saale).
In 2013, I became the first African-born black person to be elected to the German Bundestag. I owe this to my family and all the people who believe in me and support me. I also feel gratitude for one of the most responsible tasks that a democracy can offer at all: My mandate in the Bundestag.
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I live in our wonderful Halle (Saale) with my wife and our two children. The city has been the center of my life since 1986 and I am very glad and thankful to be able to serve as a member of the Bundestag for Halle (Saale), Kabelsketal, Landsberg and Petersberg.
In my biography „Leben für die Demokratie – Mein Weg vom Senegal ins deutsche Parlament“, you can learn even more about me and my life path from Senegal to the Bundestag.
