55 African States Demand an Apology for the 'Shithole' Remarks

US foreign relations are in the toilet today because a person who looks and performs like a literal shit hole casually dismissed dozens of nations as “shithole countries.” As widely reported, Trump allegedly asked in a meeting with senators this week, “Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” referring to in Haiti, El Salvador and African nations. In November, the Trump administration announced that it will end temporary protected status for Haitian refugees who fled after the 2010 earthquake by July 2019, subjecting over 50,000 people to deportation.

As for which color immigrants the US should choose to accept, he reportedly called for more Norwegians and hard-working Asians instead. The remarks sparked an emergency meeting of the African Union, a group of ambassadors which represents 55 African states to the UN, who have demanded an apology.

“There is a serious need for dialogue between the US Administration and the African countries,” the African Union said.

Ghana’s UN diplomat Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee added that the African Union “is concerned at the continuing and growing trend from the US administration towards Africa and people of African descent to denigrate the continent and people of color.”

On Friday, UN human rights spokesperson Rupert Colville said “This isn’t just a story about vulgar language, it’s about opening the door to humanity’s worst side, about validating and encouraging racism and xenophobia.”

As for the US, Republicans and Democrats alike have called for the same. While several Republican senators at the meeting would not confirm the remarks, Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said on Friday that Trump repeatedly said “hate-filled things.” Republican senator Lindsey Graham, who was also present at the “shithole” meeting, reportedly confirmed the remarks to the press and replied, “America is an idea, not a race.” On Saturday, he tweeted a statement on DACA saying he “appreciate[s] senator Durbin’s statements” and called for bipartisan support for “moving forward.” Anywhere but here.