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After boycott threat by African envoys, Swaraj assures safety for Africans

by IBNS 25 May 2016, 09:47 am

New Delhi, May 25 (IBNS) After African envoys decided to boycott the Africa Day celebrations in Delhi protesting last week's lynching of a Congolese student, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday assured safety of African nationals.

In tweets, Swaraj said she has asked minister VK Singh to meet the mission heads and reassure them of India's commitment to the safety and security of Africans in India.

Though the immediate reason for the boycott  decision, taken by the  African Group of Heads of Mission was the last week's murder of Masunda Kitada Oliver, a Congolese student, the brewing grievances over frequent attacks on Africans made the envoys to recommend their states to make such a move.  

A   statement issued by Alem Tsehage Woldemariam, Ambassador of Eritrea and Dean of the group said :“Given the pervading climate of fear and insecurity in Delhi, the African Heads of Mission are left with little option than to consider recommending to their governments not to send new students to India, unless and until their safety can be guaranteed."

 African missions are also reportedly considering recommending to their governments not to send new students to India unless their safety is guaranteed.

On Friday, 29-year-old Masonda Ketada Olivier from Congo was beaten to death by some locals in south Delhi's Vasant Kunj, allegedly over an argument over hiring an auto-rickshaw.

Earlier this year, a Tanzanian student in Bengaluru complained to the police that she was beaten up,  molested and stripped by a mob.