AU Condemns U.S. Police Killing of African American

ADDIS ABEBA – Chairperson of the African Union Commission has condemned the killing of an unarmed black man by Police in the US state of Minnesota.

Head of the AU Moussa Faki Mahamat “strongly condemns the murder of George Floyd that occurred in the United States of America at the hands of law enforcement officers”, said Ebba Kalondo, the spokesperson of the chairperson, in a  statement issued on Friday.

George Floyd, 46, died on Monday after a white Minneapolis police officer used his knee to pin Floyd’s neck to the ground for several minutes.

A video of the incident shows Floyd pleading with officers, saying “I can’t breathe” before going motionless with the officer’s knee still on his neck.

The four officers involved were swiftly fired, but Floyd’s family, community leaders and residents are calling for arrests to be made.

The AU’s chairperson “wishes to extend his deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,” the spokeswoman said.

Mahamat “firmly reaffirms and reiterates the African Union’s rejection of the continuing discriminatory practices against Black citizens”.

He called on US officials to “intensify their efforts to ensure the total elimination of all forms of discrimination based on race or ethnic origin”.

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Image: Video of the incident in Minneapolis was posted on social media [Darnella Frazier]