AU bemoans poor treatment of Africans fleeing Ukraine
The African Union says it is disturbed by reports that amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, African citizens on the Ukrainian side of the border are being refused the right to cross the border to safety.
The AU in a statement on Monday stressed that all people have the right to cross international borders during conflict irrespective of their nationality or racial identity.
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The statement said 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 (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) urge all countries to respect international law and show the same empathy and support to all people fleeing war notwithstanding their racial identity," the statement said.
"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".
Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has strongly condemned the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and called on both parties to stop fighting and use dialogue to solve their differences.
ECOWAS also called on all parties to ensure the safety of the citizens of all its member states living in Ukraine.
Ordeal
Videos have been widely circulated on social media of Africans being denied entry at the Ukranian border.
Nigerian medical student Jessica Orakpo told the BBC (below) about her ordeal and the racism she experienced as she attempted to leave Ukraine following Russia's invasion.
Based in the western city of Ternopil, she first tried to reach the Polish border on foot - but in the end she took a train to Hungary.
She described the discrimination she and other Africans have faced from Ukrainian officials.
Read the entire AU statement below;
28 February 2022, Addis Ababa: 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 Chairpersons recall 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 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.