The African Union office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian, has released the official AU statement condemning the reported ill treatment of Africans that trying to leave Ukraine and facing racism catalyzed problems.
Both the current Chair of the African Union and President of the Republic of Senegal, His Exellency, Macky Sall, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, His Exellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, have jointly signed the release.
The statement is to the effect that the African Union is following closely the developments in Ukraine and is particularly disturbed by reports that African citizens living on the Ukrainian side of the border are being refused the right to cross the border to safety.
The two AU Chairpersons recall that all people have the right to cross international borders during conflicts, and as such, should enjoy the same rights to cross to safety from the conflict in Ukraine, notwithstanding their nationality, color 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 African Union Statement – Addis Ababa
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.
Several videos of foreign students from Africa who are fleeing Ukrainian cities depict them being threatened with guns at the Polish border.
There are also videos of people of African origin being harrassed in their efforts to flee from Ukraine through Poland, Hungary and other neighboring countries.
The videos have been going viral on various social media platforms, evoking anger on various parts of the world.
Some Africans, according to recent reports, have been denied access to trains and public transport as they try to flee Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
Various video clips show a number of Africans being forced out of trains they had decided to board by soldiers who prefer giving the opportunity to Ukrainians first.
There have been uproar against such incidences described to be acts of racism. Concerns have been raised as many do not understand why Ukrainians would be harsh towards Africans and blacks who were trying to leave the country for safety.
Those clips show Ukrainian soldiers standing at the entrance of the trains as they block and push off Africans and blacks that tried to get on board.
On the other hand, special treatments were accorded to non-Africans.
In another development, Russia’s Sputnik News reports that Ukraine border security have been mistreating Africans and Indians who tried to get out of the country.
According to the news outlet. Nearly 370,000 people have fled Ukraine to Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova over the last few days, as per United Nations’ High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.
The UN Refugee Agency is reporting long queues of people waiting to cross over into Poland, the main destination for those leaving Ukraine.
However, foreign students from Africa and India studying at Ukrainian universities fleeing the country for bordering western nations have accused border security of ill-treatment and even racial discrimination, as per videos and students’ own accounts.
Tanzania has 300 citizens in Ukraine, Kenya 200, Uganda 100 and Rwanda around 90, all still stuck there.
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