Outrage towards the US emanated from the Congo, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, all condemning the killing.
“Africa’s relation to the Floyd murder was swift and resolute.”
The African response to the heinous murder of George Floyd, has been largely ignored by the American and European press. Nightly reports of the reaction in various European capitals have demonstrated Europe’s disbelief and distancing from its violent and pathologically violence-addicted cousin. The addiction to black blood and the murder/sexual assault of black bodies has framed the American experience. The murder of George Floyd was simply another chapter in a voluminous book of life experiences that characterize the extreme brutality and genocide of the African in America experience. But, did Africa have a reaction to the global reaction to the George Floyd murder? Was there a particular familiar reaction that the American and European press should have noted?
Undetected by mainstream press, Africa’s relation to the Floyd murder was swift and resolute. The African Union on May 29th issued a statement condemning the murder from its headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia stating:
“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat strongly condemns the murder of George Floyd that occurred in the United States of America at the hands of law enforcement officers, and wishes to extend his deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Recalling the historic Organization of Africa Unity (OAU) Resolution on Racial Discrimination in the United States of America made by African Heads of State and Government, at the OAU’s First Assembly Meeting held in Cairo, Egypt from 17 to 24 July 1964, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission firmly reaffirms and reiterates the African Union’s rejection of the continuing discriminatory practices against Black citizens of the United States of America. He further urges the authorities in the United States of America to intensify their efforts to ensure the
total elimination of all forms of discrimination based on race or ethnic origin.”
“The African Union rejects the continuing discriminatory practices against Black citizens of the United States of America.”
In South Africa demonstrators gathered outside the parliament in Cape Town to denounce US policies of racism and white supremacy. Protestors expressed their solidarity with African-Americans and disgust with the brutal murder of George Floyd: “The black solidarity campaign wants to establish a process of movement-building. The end state will be the creation of an anti neo-colonial, anti-imperialist movement, anti new world order movement.”
In Johannesburg, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, issued a statement condemning “the ruthless murder of George Floyd by racist police officers in the United States (US).” The party said Floyd's killing represented a deep tradition of racial prejudice and violence against African Americans by law enforcement in America. The party has also called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to immediately convene a meeting with representatives of the US in South Africa and demand they recall the deployment of the military against protesters.
“Floyd's killing represented a deep tradition of racial prejudice and violence against African Americans by law enforcement in America.”
African news and newsmakers are treated as though they do not exist. The killing of George Floyd touches “a nerve” throughout Africa. Outrage towards the US emanated from the Congo, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, all condemning the killing. Even Black American Ambassadors, such as Brian Nichols in Zimbabwe, were forced to comment on the Floyd murder: “As an African American, for as long as I can remember I have known that my rights and my body were not fully my own. I have always known that America, conceived in liberty, has always aspired to be better—a shining city on a hill—and that’s why I have dedicated my life to her service.”
The murder of George Floyd also reminded the continent of the police murder of Amadou Diallo, a Guinean immigrant, who was shot 41 times by New York police officers back in 1999.
Nigerians stormed the US Embassy over the death of George Floyd shouting “enough is enough! The US should not think that Black people are not human…We are black and beautiful and bold people….We will not be eliminated. It is time for Blacks to take their destinies in their hands.”
“The US should not think that Black people are not human.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority and Coordinator of Beyond the Return, Akwasi Agyeman commented : “One of us was murdered in such cold blood, so we cannot be and we cannot look on. So on behalf of the Beyond the Return Committee we are here to show solidarity to our brothers and sisters who are here as we all march to present our petition that enough is enough. This is one more death too many and it must stop."
The voices from Africa were defiant and courageous. Nevertheless, Western news outlets found little to report from the continent where George Floyd hailed. It is this kind of Eurocentric reporting that accentuates the importance of an independent African-centered press.
Dr. Marsha Adebayo is the author of the Pulitzer Prize nominated: No FEAR: A Whistleblowers Triumph over Corruption and Retaliation at the EPA . She worked at the EPA for 18 years and blew the whistle on a US multinational corporation that endangered South African vanadium mine workers. Marsha's successful lawsuit led to the introduction and passage of the first civil rights and whistleblower law of the 21st century: the Notification of Federal Employees Anti-discrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 (No FEAR Act). Marsha was inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame, March 2017. Currently, she is working to stop HOC from its continue desecration of an African burial ground in Bethesda, Maryland.
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