The Schengen visa, a key route for African travellers seeking access to Europe, is facing growing pressure as European governments and political leaders push for tougher controls on migration and movement across the continent.
The Schengen Area currently comprises twenty-nine European countries which includes twenty-five EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland - allowing people to move between participating countries without routine internal border checks.
For African travellers, a Schengen short-stay visa therefore provides access to multiple European destinations under a single visa, subject to the visa's conditions.
The latest challenge came from Germany, where Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), called for Germany to leave the Schengen Area, arguing that the border-free system has contributed to the country's migration problems.
“We will withdraw from Schengen, so that people like those from Ceuta can no longer come to us. This treaty will be terminated,” she said.
