In light of the recent murder of a Congolese national in Delhi, the African Group of Heads of Mission declared that it would not join the Centre’s Africa Day celebrations, which is to be held on Thursday.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted saying that she will take necessary measures to assure the safety of Africans in the country.
Olivier Masonga Kitanda’s death was the latest among several such incidents involving violence against African youths, which is a growing concern for African diplomats, reports The Hindu.
The growing rate of such attacks triggered the diplomats to announce that they are likely to recommend their governments not to send more students to India. Stereotypes and racial prejudices against Africans were cited as the primary reason.
The diplomats met officials at the Ministry of External Affairs to take steps to guarantee the safety and security of Africans.
The envoys of 42 African countries met and deliberated extensively on recent attacks against its nationals. The Indian government is strongly enjoined to take urgent steps to guarantee the safety of Africans in India including appropriate programmes of public awareness that will address the problem of racism and Afro-phobia in India,”Alem Tsehage Woldemariam, Dean of African Group Head of Missions and Ambassador of Eritrea
They have requested a postponement of the event because the African community in India are in a state of mourning.
Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj tweeted affirming the Indian Government’s commitment towards the safety of African students.
MEA Secretary (Economic Relations) Amar Sinha who handles relations with Africa, met a group of African heads of missions and pointed out that the Government of India deeply values its relations with foreign students, particularly those from Africa with which India has had a historically close relationship.
Sinha also emphasised that all criminal acts should not be seen as racially-motivated.
Olivier Masonga Kitanda, 29, was mercilessly beaten by three youth around 11.30 pm on Friday, after a verbal altercation over the hiring of an auto-rickshaw near Kishangarh village in Vasant Kunj area in south Delhi.
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the case while one is on the run.
Also Read: Congolese Man Beaten to Death in Delhi, Second Accused Arrested
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)