By JACOB KUBEKA with agency report)-

Amid raging protests in Minneapolis, the African Union (AU) on Thursday condemned in very strong terms, the killing of a unarmed black man in the US city of Minneapolis.

Chairman of the AU Commission,  Moussa Faki Mahamat, in a statement signed by his press secretary, Ebba Kalondo, also extended his deepest condolences to the family of the ‘murdered’ George Floyd and his loved ones.

The 46-year old George was arrested, handcuffed and brought down by a team of police officer for an unknown offence.  One of the white police officers was filmed kneeling on his neck for almost eight minutes even as the black man kept pleading that he could not breathe.

In the video clip, which has since gone viral, the white police officer did not relent but rather kept the pressure with hands in his trouser pockets, while three or more white police officers watched the drama.

George eventually died in police custody on Monday, sparking a wave of demonstrations across the United States.

President Donald Trump, in a tweet on Friday said he would “send in the National Guard” to restore order as the protests in Minneapolis was almost getting out of control.

“I can’t stand back & watch this happen to a great American City, Minneapolis,” Trump said early Friday. “A total lack of leadership. Either the very weak Radical Left Mayor, Jacob Frey, get his act together and bring the City under control, or I will send in the National Guard & get the job done right.”

The AU chairperson, in the statement, decried what he described as “continuing discriminatory practices against black citizens of the United States of America.”

Mahamat further urged 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.”

Full statement of the Chairperson following the murder of George Floyd in the USA

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