African Union to Sanction U.S. Over Police Brutalities
The African Union is expected to seriously condemn the American police force over its unending brutalities against African Americans in the United States. According to a source close to the discussion at the corridors of the African Union, the continental body had hoped the widespread protests after the death of George Floyd, a 46-year old unarmed Black man at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer Derek Michael Chauvin, would lead to meaningful and lasting police reforms.
However, many similar atrocities emerging from the US since Mr. Floyd’s killing, including the murder of Rayshard Brooks by an Atlanta Police Officer, indicate that left alone, America and its law enforcement agencies will not institute the necessary reforms to bring an end to decades of systemic racism against those who identify as African Americans in the United States. The African Union is expected to reiterate its unflinching support in protecting its Diaspora population, which constitutes the AU’s sixth region.
Responding to calls by African citizens for the AU to forcefully condemn the actions of American Police Departments over its treatment of America’s Black and Brown population, the source said the Chairperson appreciates those concerns and encourages all to read the statement he issued on the 29th of May, 2020, few days after video of the gruesome killing of Mr. Floyd emerged.
Below is a reproduction of the Chairperson’s statement condemning the killing of Mr. Floyd:
“29 May 2020, Addis Ababa:
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat strongly condemns the murder of George Floyd that occurred in the United States of America at the hands of law enforcement officers, and wishes to extend his deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.
Recalling the historic Organisation of Africa Unity (OAU) Resolution on Racial Discrimination in the United States of America made by African Heads of State and Government, at the OAU’s First Assembly Meeting held in Cairo, Egypt from 17 to 24 July 1964, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission firmly reaffirms and reiterates the African Union’s rejection of the continuing discriminatory practices against Black citizens of the United States of America.
He further urges the authorities in the United States of America to intensify their efforts to ensure the total elimination of all forms of discrimination based on race or ethnic origin.
Issued by:
The Spokesperson of the Chairperson of the Commission
Ebba Kalondo
KalondoE@africa-union.org
+251911510512″
According to the source, although the AU acknowledges it may be limited in applying effective sanctions against the United States of America, the organisation is nonetheless considering all options including a ban on natural resource export to America, particularly rare minerals use in the production of smart devices and others solely found on the African continent. Another area the AU is thought to be considering is putting a ban on further development of American military bases on the continent.
Going forward, the source indicates the African Union is going to be responsive to the aspirations of her citizens and move the continent away from being a laughing stock of the so-called industrial world.
