Namibia, world lash Trump

Namibia, world lash Trump‘Such language has no place in diplomatic discourse’ The US leader has been widely condemned for his remark about 'shithole countries'. The Namibian government has strongly objected to utterances made by US President Donald Trump, who described El Salvador, Haiti and certain African nations as “shithole” countries during a White House meeting last week.

“Such language has no place in diplomatic discourse and is contrary to the norms of civility and human progress. Further, it does not contribute to international cooperation.

“Namibia commends those American people who have disassociated themselves with these derogatory remarks,” the international relations ministry said in a statement at the weekend.

The comment was reportedly made during a meeting in which Trump rejected a bipartisan deal on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme.

According to the international media, Trump had questioned why the United States would want to have immigrants from Haiti and African nations, referring to some as “shithole countries”.

The Namibian government reminded the American leader that Africa was on the rise.

“The Africa we know and live in is one that is recovering economically and rising. The USA we know is one that was built with blood and sweat of African slaves and immigrants from all over.

“Namibia, while associating itself with the tweeted African Union official statement, condemns these utterances and calls on the international community to reject racism in all forms,” it stated.

Meanwhile, the Washington Mission of the African Union says it “demands a retraction as well as an apology not only to Africans but to all people of African descent around the globe”.

The African Union, representing all 55 nations on the continent, has demanded that Trump apologise for his “shithole countries” remark.

In a blistering statement, the union's diplomatic mission in Washington also accused Trump of dishonouring America by supposedly using foul language to describe Haiti, El Salvador and unspecified African nations.

The Washington Mission of the African Union said Trump didn't just need to apologise to Africans, he should be saying sorry to all people of African descent, all over the world.

The Washington Mission's demands follows earlier statements issued by the African Union from its headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in which the organisation reportedly made clear its “alarm” at Trump's “very racist” comments.

Spokeswoman Ebba Kalondo was quoted as saying: “Given the historical reality of how many Africans arrived in the United States as slaves, [Mr Trump's] statement flies in the face of all accepted behaviour and practice.

“This is particularly surprising as the United States of America remains a global example of how migration gave birth to a nation built on strong values of diversity and opportunity. We believe that a statement like this hurts our shared global values on diversity, human rights and reciprocal understanding.”



'Shithole' nation?

Meanwhile, in the Botswana government had asked the US ambassador to the country to “clarify” whether it is one of those countries Trump considers to be “shitholes”.

It has also described the comments as “irresponsible, reprehensible and racist”.

“The government of Botswana is wondering why President Trump must use this descriptor and derogatory word, when talking about countries with whom the US has had cordial and mutually beneficial bilateral relations for so many years,” the statement reads.

Botswana also urged SADC in particular and the AU as well as other “progressive nations across the world” to take a stand against Trump's comments.

-Additional reporting BBC