The African Union said on Friday that President Donald J. Trump‘s reported description of African nations as “shithole countries” broke with “accepted behavior” and was upsetting.
Ebba Kalondo, spokeswoman for AU Chairperson Moussa Faki, told AFP that Mr. Trump’s statement “truly flies in the face of accepted behaviour and practice.”
“This is not only hurtful, I think, to people of African origin in the United States, but certainly to African citizens,” she said.
Earlier in the day, President Trump denied in a tweet that he made any derogatory comments, amid an international furor over the remarks.
The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used. What was really tough was the outlandish proposal made – a big setback for DACA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018
Trump, who reportedly made the comment during a meeting with legislators Thursday on immigration reform, drew charges of racism.
“Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” Trump said, people briefed on the meeting told The Washington Post.
Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country. Never said “take them out.” Made up by Dems. I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians. Probably should record future meetings – unfortunately, no trust!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018
Reuters reported, however, that Democratic Senator Dick Durbin confirmed that President Trump did use ‘vile, vulgar’ language, including the word ‘shithole’, in the immigration meeting with lawmakers.
Haiti’s US Ambassador Paul Altidor tells me Haiti’s government has formerly summoned a US official to explain Trump’s comments to Haiti’s officials. “Haitians fought along US soldiers in the revolutionary war and we continue to be great contributors to American society,” he said https://t.co/adRajn3O5y
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) January 12, 2018
Botswana’s government summoned the US ambassador on Friday to complain about the reported remarks.
“The Government of Botswana, today summoned the U.S. Ambassador to Botswana to express its displeasure at the alleged utterances made by the President of the U.S.,” the country’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on Twitter.
“We view the utterances by the current American President as highly irresponsible, reprehensible and racist,” it added.
Rupert Colville, spokesman for the U.N. human rights office, told reporters in Geneva that Mr. Trump’s comments were shocking, shameful and racist.
“If confirmed, these are shocking and shameful comments from the President of the United States. Sorry, but there is no other word one can use but ‘racist’,” Mr. Colville said.
