AU Expresses Concern over Chinese Treatment of Africans in Virus Crackdown

ADDIS ABABA – African Unions has expressed its concern over the treatment of Africans in China where they are discriminated against in the coronavirus crackdown.

African Union Commission Chairperson Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat met with Chinese envoy Liu Yuxi, in Addis Ababa on Saturday.

The chairperson expressed “our extreme concern at allegations of maltreatment of Africans in Guangzhou”.

In recent days Africans in the city have reported being ejected from their apartments by their landlords, being tested for coronavirus several times without being given results and being shunned and discriminated against in public.

The chairperson has called for “immediate remedial measures in line with our excellent relations” and added the African Group in Beijing is also engaging with the Chinese government over the issue.

They “stated in very strong terms their concern and condemnation of the disturbing and humiliating experiences our citizens have been subjected to,” Sierra Leone’s embassy said, according to Associated Press.

A Chinese foreign affairs ministry spokesperson tried to play down reports of Africans being singled out and said the government was paying “high attention to the occasional incidents and misunderstandings in this process” of stopping a second wave and urged all foreign nationals to comply with directives by local authorities.

However, according to several media reports, Britons, Americans and Filipinos, not Africans, account for more than half of foreigners living in Guangzhou who have the virus. But there are no indications, they have been subject to evictions.

—

Image: Africans sleeping on the street in Guangzhou, after being unable to find shelter.