South Africa, the chair of the African Union, raised its concern about reports of alleged ill-treatment of African nationals in China in a press statement released this afternoon by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco).
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“Reports include allegations of forceful testing, quarantining for Covid-19 and other inhumane treatment,” said Dirco spokesperson Lunga Ngqengelele.
Dirco stated that reports of these alleged actions are inconsistent with the “excellent relations” that exist between China and Africa, dating back to China’s support during the decolonisation struggle in Africa, and now manifesting in an extensive Africa-China partnership.
“SA welcomes the action taken by the AU Commission chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, to summon the Chinese Ambassador in Addis Ababa to provide an explanation, and express the AU’s deep concern about this matter.
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“We also welcome the assurance by the Chinese authorities that it is not the policy of China to discriminate against African nationals.
“SA urges the relevant Chinese authorities to investigate these reports and take appropriate remedial measures,” said Ngqengelele.
@DIRCO_ZA: We encourage African Ambassadors in Beijing to continue to engage Chinese authorities with a view to ensuring that Africans are not subjected to any ill-treatment, and that they are treated equally, with respect and with dignity like all other nationals in China. pic.twitter.com/hQRN3fkS2V
— PretoriaLIVE (@LivePretoria) April 12, 2020
“We encourage the African Group of Ambassadors in Beijing to continue to engage the Chinese authorities with a view to ensuring that Africans are not subjected to any ill-treatment, and that instead, they are treated equally, with respect and with dignity like all other nationals in China.”
A request for comment on the statement released by Dirco was sent to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Johannesburg.
Comment was requested by 7pm. No comment was received at the time of publishing. This is a developing story and readers will be updated if any comment becomes availalable.
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