Reprinted with permission from Shareblue.com
The African Union, an organization that represents the entire continent of Africa, blasted Donald Trump on Friday for his recent remarks calling African nations “shithole countries.”
“The African Union Mission wishes to express its infuriation, disappointment and outrage over the unfortunate comment made by Mr. Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America, which remarks dishonor the celebrated American creed and respect for diversity and human dignity,” the union said in a statement.
The statement was released after Trump told a group of senators that the U.S. immigration system should be changed to allow fewer people from “shithole countries” during a discussion about El Salvador, Haiti, and African nations. He also said the U.S. should let more people in from countries like Norway.
The White House does not deny that Trump used this vulgar language, and Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, who was at the meeting, confirmed the comments Friday morning.
In their statement, the African Union also demanded that Trump formally retract the statement and deliver “an apology not only to the Africans but to all people of African descent around the globe.”
The rebuke from the African Union comes amid a slew of international condemnations.
Ebba Kalondo, spokeswoman for African Union chief Moussa Faki, said Trump’s comments were “clearly” racist.
“Comparing [migrants’] desirability in such vulgar, disparaging and, indeed, racist language is not only dangerous but frankly unthinkable for the leader of a land basically built on migration,” Kalondo said in an interview with FRANCE 24.
Also on Friday, the United Nations human rights office rejected Trump’s comments, referring to them as “racist“.
In a separate statement, United Nations ambassadors from every country on the continent demanded a retraction and apology from Trump.
The group of UN ambassadors said it was “extremely appalled” by Trump’s remarks, referring to them as “outrageous, racist and xenophobic.” The group also extended its thanks to those Americans who had condemned the remarks.
Trump has done a lot of despicable things as president, but managing to get on the bad side of an entire continent is a new low — even for him.
