The Afghan minister who became a bicycle messenger in Germany

LEIPZIG, Germany, August 26 (Reuters) – Sayed Sadaat used to be the Afghan government’s communications minister before moving to Germany last December in hopes of a better future. He is now a dealer in the eastern city of Leipzig.

He said some of his family criticized him for taking on this job after serving in government for two years and leaving office in 2018. But for him now, a job is a job.

“I have nothing to feel guilty about,” said the 49-year-old British-Afghan dual citizen, in his orange uniform next to his bicycle. He left the Afghan government for disagreements with members of the president’s circle, he said.

“I hope other politicians follow the same path as well, working with the public instead of just hiding.”

Its history has gained a special prominence with the chaos unfolding at home after the Taliban’s acquisition. His family and friends also want to leave, hoping to join thousands of others on evacuation flights or try to find other routes.

With the withdrawal of US troops on the horizon, the number of Afghan asylum seekers in Germany has increased since the beginning of the year, jumping more than 130%, according to data from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

Although his citizenship duel meant he could choose to move to Britain, where he had spent much of his life, he moved to Germany in late 2020, taking his last chance to do so sooner. that this road be closed by Britain’s exit from the European Union.

He chose Germany because he hoped to have a better economic future and a long-term leadership role in the telecommunications and IT sector.

But even with his background, Sadaat has struggled to find a job in Germany that matches his experience. With degrees in computer science and telecommunications, Sadaat hoped to find work in a related field. But without German, his chances were slim.

“Language is the most important part,” Sadaat said.

Every day he does four hours of German at a language school before starting a six-hour night shift handing out meals in Lieferando, where he started this summer.

“The first few days were exciting but difficult,” he said, describing the challenge of learning to ride a bike in city traffic.

“The more you go out and see people, the more you learn,” he said.

Reports by Leon Malherbe and Stefan Remter and Riham Alkousaa in Berlin; Edited by Alison Williams and Toby Chopra

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