A number of politicians across the continent have issued out a call to the African Union(AU) to intervene on the discrimination faced by Africans currently in China in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

AU chair, Cyril Ramaphosa has been inundated with calls from the likes of former Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane, Uganda’s Bobi Wine and Zimbabwe’s Nelson Chamisa.

African nationals in China issue out call for help

This comes after several Africans living and studying in China lamented abuse faced at the hands of authorities, with reports of evictions in the city of Guangzhou also emerging.

Maimane took to Twitter on Saturday to highlight the plight faced by African nationals in the People’s Republic.

This is really painful to watch. The African Union must take action to help our African brothers and sisters who are living and working in China. We must take a clear stand as a continent. pic.twitter.com/qUQtP41VfW — Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) April 18, 2020

In a letter signed by Maimane, Chamisa, Wine, Tanzania’s Zitto Kabwe, and Lazarus Chakwena of Malawi, the group called for an investigation of xenophobia claims against Africans.

“Xenophobia in such a time can undercut the disease and significantly destabilise relationships that have been built over the years. “There have been alarming reports of hundreds of African migrant workers, traders and students in the southern city of Guangzhou, China. This region is home to Asia’s biggest African diaspora.”

China responds to xenophobia claims

Meanwhile, China has refuted claims that African nationals in the country are facing discrimination.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian issued out a statement earlier in the week saying China remains friendly with the continent.