African Students Use #AfricansInUkraine To Show Racism They’re Facing While Trying To Flee Invasion
African residents (particularly African students) have found themselves trapped from fleeing Ukraine as Russia continues to invade it.
African students are facing difficulties leaving the Ukraine during the current Eastern Europe conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Over the weekend, posts from African residents in Ukraine went viral, documenting them being blocked from trains and barred at crossing borders.
In most social media videos, the hostility is mainly occurring at the Ukrainian-Polish border. Africans have alleged that while white Ukrainians are able to board trains and other modes of transportation, Africans are being held back from border agents and local police.
To communicate, Africans are turning to Twitter and WhatsApp to organize social media groups, according to OkayAfrica. As they attempt to leave for neighboring countries, African citizens have noted their anxieties with whether they’ll be granted immunity. Many are worried that if once they do leave Ukraine, they won’t be granted refugee status and be dismissed.
In a report from The Irish Times, close to 20 percent of foreign students in Ukraine are African, namely 4,000 Nigerians. To heighten awareness about being held hostage, African students and activists have been using the Twitter hashtag #AfricansInUkraine.
African officials have yet to respond to the Russian-Ukraine invasion, but last Wednesday President Joe Biden released an official statement about Russia’s attack.
“President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable,” Biden said.
Under the direction of Russian President Vladmir Putin, Russian forces began a full-scale invasion on Ukraine last Thursday to halt the country from joining NATO’s expansion agenda.
Read more about the conflict below.
Bombs don’t check your nationality and border security shouldn’t either.
Everyone fleeing Ukraine is in desperate need of shelter. I hope neighboring countries who are opening their borders to Ukrainians wouldn’t discriminate against Africans and Asians. Let’s lead with grace.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 28, 2022
Black Africans are being treated with racism and contempt in Ukraine & Poland. West cannot ask African nations to stand in solidarity with them if they cannot display basic respect for us even in a time of war. Ignored in a pandemic and left to die in war?!! UNACCEPTABLE.
— Dr. Ayoade Alakija (@yodifiji) February 25, 2022
SHOCKING: Footage emerging on social media of black Africans not being allowed to cross the border out of Ukraine. Only Ukrainians are allowed. Hundreds of Africans stranded. #russiaukrainewar #ukrainerussiawar #Kiev #Kyiv pic.twitter.com/zmEKcoiR0F pic.twitter.com/WhimsLkA30
— WORLD WAR 3 – RUSSIA VS UKRAINE #2022 (@ww3updatez) February 27, 2022
Been at the Poland-Ukraine border for the past 5 hours & they’re segregating.
Ukrainians the other side, Africans & other foreigners on the other side. Like 100 Ukrainians first, then two Africans & other foreigners.
Well, if their citizens leave, who will fight for them? We?
— Nze (@nzekiev) February 27, 2022
Watch how they are threatening to shoot us!
We are currently at the Ukraine -Poland border.
Their Police and Army refused to let Africans cross they only allow Ukrainian.
Some have slept here for 2 days under this scorching cold weather, while many have gone back to Lviv. pic.twitter.com/47YG4gxFC4— Nze (@nzekiev) February 27, 2022
Pray for Ukraine🤲🏾🇺🇦
We would have loved to go back home,we can’t,the airports are closed,we are evacuating from city to city and trying to leave the country on foot or by car. As foreigners in this country,we do not know what will happen next but God will never leave us,not now— Vukile Dlamini (@vukiledlamini19) February 24, 2022
#AfricansinUkraine the community of Africans in Ukraine stranded at the boarder much of them women and children. — This is happening now
The lady in the video is holding a 2 month old and it’s 3°c outside we are in search of aid and hostels pic.twitter.com/Ae2Iwn4zpg
— Damilare / ViF (@Damilare_arah) February 26, 2022
The official visuals of Ukrainians blocking Africans from getting on trains. #AfricansinUkraine pic.twitter.com/hJYpM3LY0A
— Damilare / ViF (@Damilare_arah) February 26, 2022
