New York – African ambassadors at the United Nations have termed as “outrageous, racist and xenophobic” recent remarks by United States President Donald Trump describing Haitian and African countries as “shithole countries.”
In a statement released by the Permanent Observers Mission of the African Union to the UN after the African ambassadors met in a session on January 12, the ambassadors demanded “retraction and apology” from Mr. Trump.
“(We) are concerned at the continuing and growing trend from the US Administration towards Africa and people of African descent to denigrate the continent and people of color,” the statement read.
The mission also expressed solidarity with the people of Haiti and “others that have been similarly denigrated” by the US President.
The statement reiterates remarks by the Chair of the African Union commission and several other African nations against Mr. Trump’s comments.
The AU said the “remarks dishonor the celebrated American creed and respect for diversity and human dignity” and called for dialogue between the US and African countries.
It added: “While expressing our shock, dismay and outrage, the African Union strongly believes that there is a huge misunderstanding of the African continent and its people by the current Administration”.
President Trump ‘shithole’ remarks were allegedly made when US lawmakers visited him on Thursday, January 11 in the White House to discuss a bipartisan proposal that would impose new restrictions on immigration.
According to one Congressman who attended the meeting, Trump allegedly told them that instead of granting temporary residency to citizens of countries hit by natural disasters, war or epidemics, the US should instead be taking in migrants from countries like Norway.
The Washington Post quoted the US President as say: “Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?”