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African nations issue extraordinary response to Trump’s racist comments, demand apology

An unprecedented and uncompromising statement.

Participants pose for a photo after the 31st meeting of the permanent representatives delegation of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on January 21, 2016.  (Photo by Minasse Wondimu Hailu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Participants pose for a photo after the 31st meeting of the permanent representatives delegation of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on January 21, 2016. (Photo by Minasse Wondimu Hailu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Trump’s description of large swaths of the globe, including the entire continent of Africa, as “shithole nations” whose citizens should be excluded from the United States has triggered international condemnation.

The latest response comes in the form of an extraordinary statement issue by the African Union, a group of 55 African countries.

The African Union called Trump’s comments “outrageous, racist and xenophobic” and demanded a “retraction and apology.” The group also said it was “concerned at the continuing and growing trend from the US administration towards Africa and people of African descent to denigrate the continent and people of color.”

The entire communiqué was published online by Samantha Power, the former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, who said it was completely unprecedented.

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Experts believe Trump has permanently damaged the United States standing in the world. “I don’t think this will just blow over. I think it fundamentally poisons the relationship with numerous countries,” Peter Lewis, director of African Studies at Johns Hopkins University, told CNN.

As a candidate for President, Trump promised to make American “respected in the world again.” It is not going well.