THE AFRICAN Union (AU) says any acts of racism towards African citizens in Ukraine would be “in breach of international law.”

Over the weekend shocking footage uploaded to social media, showed hundreds of African citizens being refused the right to board trains out of Ukraine and some were denied the right to cross borders to safety. 

The AU announced today, that they are following the developments in Ukraine closely and said they were deeply “disturbed” by the treatment of African citizens attempting to flee the conflict zone.

The AU’s comments come as Nigeria condemned the discriminatory treatment towards its’ citizens in Ukraine, including many students who were trapped in the war-zone after being denied safe crossing to Poland and Slovenia.

In a statement the AU said: “All people have the right to cross international borders during conflict, and as such, should enjoy the same rights to cross to safety from the conflict in Ukraine, notwithstanding their nationality or racial identity.

“Reports that Africans are singled out for unacceptable dissimilar treatment would be shockingly racist and in breach of international law.” 

The AU said they are “urging all countries to respect international law and show the same empathy and support to all people fleeing war notwithstanding their racial identity.” 

They also commended the efforts of African Union Member State countries and their embassies in neighbouring countries offering assistance to African citizens stranded in Ukraine. 

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s special adviser to the president on diaspora affairs, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said: “Africans are being denied entry through the Ukrainian borders. The minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has taken this up with the Ukrainian ambassador. Our people who want to leave must be allowed to.”

Nigeria president Muhammadu Buhari, added: “All who flee a conflict situation have the same right to safe passage under UN convention and the colour of their passport or their skin should make no difference,” citing reports that Ukrainian police had obstructed Nigerians.”

“From video evidence, first-hand reports, and from those in contact with Nigerian consular officials, there have been unfortunate reports of Ukrainian police and security personnel refusing to allow Nigerians to board buses and trains heading towards Ukraine-Poland border.

“One group of Nigerian students having been repeatedly refused entry into Poland have concluded they have no choice but to travel again across Ukraine and attempt to exit the country via the border with Hungary.”

There has been very little mainstream media reporting of racism encountered by black people attempting to flee the conflict in Ukraine. LBC presenter Camilla Tominey dismissed the story as “a hoax.”

This is not the first time the AU had to issue a statement regarding the unfair treatment of African citizens.

In 2020, videos were shared online of African nationals facing discrimination in China, which prompted a high level meeting with African Union members. 

The current Chair of the AU, is the President of Senegal, H.E. Macky Sall and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission is H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat.