Some incidents should not be happening, especially
during this era of civilization. The main aim of education is to liberate us
from primordial ways of life and archaic perceptions; however, this is still
far from the reality.
It is disturbing to hear people are being
discriminated against based on their colour, race or religion in this age.
Where on earth do you that? It is quite unfortunate that the country of a
higher calibre like China has emerged as the latest culprit.
The Asian country came in the limelight following
mistreatment, its citizens meted on black people in its Southern city of
Guangzhou in Guangdong Province. The Chinese nationals alleged the people of
black origin who are majorly from Africa continent and US are spreading the
coronavirus.
The reports indicated the African students and
expatriates in China were evicted from their homes and hotels, forced to
undergo covid-19 testing and 14-days self-quarantine without evidence showing
that they had travelled outside the country or had any close contact with the
novel virus patients.
“...Consternations the discrimination and
stigmatization of Africans whereby they are made to forcefully, and in a very
crude manner to undergo epidemic investigation and Nucleic Acid Test, fourteen
(14) days quarantine even if they had not travelled outside their
jurisdictions, not come into contact with infected persons, not had close
contact or showing any symptoms of the COVID-19,” reads part of a letter written
by the African Group of Ambassadors to top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi.
A video footage that went viral on Social Media showed how
Africans were being humiliated, beaten and forced to sleep in streets sparking
outcry in the continent.
The African governments condemned the incidents demanding the
explanation from the Chinese government. However, to mitigate such occurrences
in future, a stern action should be taken by Africa even if it calls for
cutting the diplomatic ties. Oral or written explanations by offenders are not
enough, people need actions. Africa is the
main targets of race-based discrimination since colonialism and it is high time
for its leaders to face the reality.
Meanwhile, I would like to commend the African Union (AU),
African Groups of Ambassadors and the governments of Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and
many others and US for speaking against the stigmatisation of Africans in
China.
“Videos and stories from #Guangzhou are appalling.
Abuse and xenophobia has no place in our fight against this global pandemic.
Chinese authorities must do more to stop these attacks against Africans living
and working in China,” Tibor Nagy, a top Department of State official for
Africa, posted on Twitter.
African Union Commission chair
Moussa Faki Mahamat said, “My Office invited the Chinese Ambassador to the AU,
Mr Liu Yuxi, to express our extreme concern at allegations of maltreatment of
Africans in Guangzhou plus called for immediate remedial measures in line with
our excellent relations. The African group in Beijing is also engaging with the
govt.”
“We immediately demand the cessation of forceful testing,
quarantine and other inhuman treatments meted out to Africans in Guangdong
Province in particular and the whole of China and also demands that Africans
are treated the same as Chinese and other nationals in the fight against
COVID-19,” wrote the African Group of Ambassadors.
