Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, has described the attacks of foreign nationals in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal as “unacceptable,” calling for their immediate halt while again expressing her deep concern about the violence.
• Download the statement in French
• Download the statement in Portuguese
“Whatever the challenges we may be facing, no circumstances justify attacks on people, whether foreigners or locals,” she said. “It is unacceptable.”
While calling for an end to the attacks, the AU Commission welcomed the interventions from the South African government, including the deployment of the Inter-Ministerial committee to KwaZulu-Natal to engage with those affected and with local communities, as well as the deployment of more police to provide protection and keep law and order.
Dlamini-Zuma condemned the incidents as particularly unfortunate in the light of approaching celebrations of Africa Month. “On 25 May we remember the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, which played such a critical role in mobilising international solidarity for the end of apartheid,” she said.
“The challenges faced by South Africa, poverty and unemployment, are challenges faced by all countries on the continent and we must work together to address these, and build a better future for all Africans.”
The AU Commission Chairperson appealed for dialogue among communities, to address the challenges and find peaceful solutions.
Media contact
Jacob Enoh Eben
Spokesperson of the chairperson
Cell: +1 202 751 8515
Email: EnohebenJ@africa-union.org;
Directorate of Information and Communication
African Union Commission
Tel: +251-11-5517700
E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
Web: www.au.int
