African delegates in China denounce xenophobic attacks

By Stephen Benjamin
African delegates attending seminars in China have condemned reported xenophobic attacks against foreign African nationals in South Africa and called for greater unity across the continent.

The delegates made the condemnation while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of training programmes organised by the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO) under China’s Ministry of Commerce.

They described the reported attacks as disturbing and contrary to the ideals of Pan-Africanism, solidarity, and peaceful coexistence.

Mr Yusupha Bojang of The Gambia’s National Council for Civic Education said Africans must see themselves as one people irrespective of colonial-era boundaries.

“We first have to recognise that in Africa we are all one. These boundaries are artificial creations. We should treat each other as brothers and sisters,” he said.

Bojang said frustrations over domestic challenges should not be directed at fellow Africans lawfully residing in another country.

“If you have any problem, it should be channelled to your government, not innocent citizens legitimately carrying out their activities,” he said.

He urged Africans to speak with one voice against xenophobia.

“We need to unite. When we see wrongs happening, we should all come out to condemn them because it can happen to anybody,” he added.

Also speaking, Mr Jallow Gibbi, a journalist with Dunia Radio in The Gambia, said he was saddened by reports of Africans attacking fellow Africans.

“When I watched the news, I was embarrassed to see Africans fighting Africans. It is not humanitarian and it should not happen,” he said.

Gibbi called on African leaders and international organisations to promote peace and unity across the continent.

“We are all the same. One Africa, one people. We should unite and stay together,” he said.

He said information from Gambian diplomatic authorities indicated that no Gambian citizen had been reported affected, while advising nationals to remain vigilant.

Mr Richard James of South Sudan’s Ministry of Culture, Museum and National Heritage described African unity as essential to the continent’s progress.

“We are all Africans from the north to the south, east and west. We cannot attack ourselves. We are one Africa, one people,” he said.

Mr Kawu Lawan of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy said the reports were particularly troubling given the support many African countries provided during South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle.

“Looking at all the efforts other African countries made to end apartheid in South Africa, it is embarrassing to witness hostility against fellow Africans today,” he said.

Lawan urged African leaders to take practical steps to protect citizens across the continent and strengthen regional integration.

Similarly, Mr Emmanuel Nok, a legal practitioner with South Sudan’s Ministry of Culture, Museum and National Heritage, said Africans should reject violence and discrimination against one another.

“We feel hurt as Africans when we see fellow Africans being hunted by other Africans. We should condemn such behaviour because it goes against the spirit of African brotherhood,” he said.

Nok noted that many African countries host citizens from neighbouring states and stressed that peaceful coexistence remained vital for economic development and regional cooperation.

The delegates called on governments, regional organisations and civil society groups to promote tolerance, strengthen social cohesion and uphold the principles of African unity.

They also urged Africans to focus on common development goals, saying stronger cooperation would advance peace, prosperity and integration across the continent. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)