AU leaders alarmed at reports Africans prevented from fleeing Ukraine
28 February 2022 - 22:58
byBate Felix
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
People from the Middle East and African nations warm up around a fire at the Polish-Ukrainian border crossing, February 28 2022. Picture: OMAR MARQUES/GETTY IMAGES
Dakar — The AU said on Monday that it was disturbed by reports that African citizens in Ukraine are being refused the right to cross borders to safety as they try to flee the conflict in Ukraine.
Thousands of African and other foreign nationals, particularly students, have been scrambling to leave Ukraine following Russia's invasion.
But as hundreds of thousands throng to Ukraine’s borders, overwhelming authorities in neighbouring countries, reports have emerged that Africans are being treated differently and sometimes prevented from leaving.
Several have shared videos and testimonies on social media, denouncing discrimination at train stations and border posts. Reuters has not been able to authenticate the videos.
“Reports that Africans are singled out for unacceptable dissimilar treatment would be shockingly racist and in breach international law,” AU chair, Senegal President Macky Sall, and Moussa Faki Mahamat, head of AU Commission, said in a joint statement.
The statement added that all people have the right to cross international borders during conflict, and should enjoy the same rights to cross to safety from the conflict in Ukraine, notwithstanding their nationality or racial identity.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
AU leaders alarmed at reports Africans prevented from fleeing Ukraine
Dakar — The AU said on Monday that it was disturbed by reports that African citizens in Ukraine are being refused the right to cross borders to safety as they try to flee the conflict in Ukraine.
Thousands of African and other foreign nationals, particularly students, have been scrambling to leave Ukraine following Russia's invasion.
But as hundreds of thousands throng to Ukraine’s borders, overwhelming authorities in neighbouring countries, reports have emerged that Africans are being treated differently and sometimes prevented from leaving.
Several have shared videos and testimonies on social media, denouncing discrimination at train stations and border posts. Reuters has not been able to authenticate the videos.
“Reports that Africans are singled out for unacceptable dissimilar treatment would be shockingly racist and in breach international law,” AU chair, Senegal President Macky Sall, and Moussa Faki Mahamat, head of AU Commission, said in a joint statement.
The statement added that all people have the right to cross international borders during conflict, and should enjoy the same rights to cross to safety from the conflict in Ukraine, notwithstanding their nationality or racial identity.
Reuters
Russian channel RT under scrutiny in UK over Ukraine coverage
Neutral Swiss adopt EU sanctions against Russia in break with past
Russia central bank doubles interest rates as sanctions bite
Nato and US blast Putin’s nuclear order as Ukraine agrees to talks
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Many civilians feared dead as Russian artillery attacks Kharkiv residential ...
Russia’s economy reels as Western firms leave as sanctions intensify
S&P cuts Russia’s rating to junk, Moody’s issues junk warning
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.