AU leaders ‘disturbed’ by racial discrimination of Africans fleeing Ukrainian conflict

ADDIS ABABA (SUDANS POST) – Leaders of the African Union (AU) have said in a statement on Monday afternoon that they are disturbed by reports that African citizens fleeing the conflict in Ukraine were being discriminated against at border crossing with Poland.

Russian troops are closing in on Ukraine’s capital, days after Russia’s leader ordered a full-scale invasion from the north, east and south. In a pre-dawn TV address on 24 February, he declared Russia could not feel “safe, develop and exist” because of what he claimed was a constant threat from modern Ukraine, the BBC reported.

Airports and military headquarters were hit first then tanks and troops rolled into Ukraine from Russia, Russian-annexed Crimea and ally Belarus. This sparked mass exodus of foreigners – including Africans – as well as Ukrainian civilians.

Reports first emerged on Monday morning of racist and unfair treatment of African citizens at the border with Poland. The reports, denied by both Polish and Ukrainian officials, have cast a pall on the massive evacuation effort that has already seen half a million civilians cross into the European Union, France24 reported.

In a statement, the Chairperson of the African Union, Macky Sall of Senegal, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said the continental organization is disturbed by the reports of racism against African citizens fleeing the conflict.

“The current Chair of the African Union and President of the Republic of Senegal, H.E. Macky Sall, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, are following closely the developments in Ukraine and are particularly disturbed by reports that African citizens on the Ukrainian side of the border are being refused the right to cross the border to safety,” the two men said in a statement seen by Sudans Post.

They argued that “all people have the right to cross international borders during conflict, and as such, should enjoy the same rights to cross to safety from the conflict in Ukraine, notwithstanding their nationality or racial identity.”

“Reports that Africans are singled out for unacceptable dissimilar treatment would be shockingly racist and in breach of international law.

“In this regard, The Chairpersons urge all countries to respect international law and show the same empathy and support to all people fleeing war notwithstanding their racial identity.

“The Chairpersons commend the efforts by African Union Member State countries and their embassies in neighbouring countries to receive and orientate African citizens and their families trying to cross the border from Ukraine to safety.”