Recorded clips surfaced on different social media accounts while Ms. Chihombori criticized some African leaders of remaining tight lipped on the neocolonialism. PHOTO| FILE.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki has come out to defend the Commission’s decision to terminate the contract of Arikana Chihombori-Quao who was the permanent representative of the African Union Mission to the United States of America.
“Political appointees at the African Union, including Dr Chihombori are appointed at the discretion of the appointing authority. The duration of such political appointments is also determined at the discretion of that appointing authority,” said Moussa Faki in a statement.
His comments comes after Dr Chihombori received a letter dated 7 October 2019 terminating her contract with effect from November 1st 2019, “we are aware of reports circulating on social media making claims surrounding the circumstances of the recall of the Permanent Representative of the African Union Mission. This is normal diplomatic practice for political appointees everywhere,” said the African Union Commission Chairperson.
Recorded clips surfaced on different social media accounts while Ms. Chihombori criticized some African leaders of remaining tight lipped on the re-colonization’ of their countries.
“France say they will have military presence in your country and your military can only be trained by France…because they have military presence in your country they can invade you without notice if they feel the interest of France have been violated,” said Ms. Chihombori in one of the clips on social media.
Arikana Chihombori-Quao’s contract termination comes after serving three years as Permanent Representative of the African Union Mission to the United States of America.
Her recall sparked critics as many believe her comments on the European, American and Chinese involvement in African affairs could have led to her sacking.
However the African Union indicated that the state or suggest that Ambassador Chihombori’s termination of service is due to any pronouncements she has made, or opinions she may have held during her three-year tenure, is patently untrue.
Petition
The African Diaspora is calling for the reinstatement Of Dr Arikana Chihombori-Quao after what it called the Unjust Removal from Office.
“People of African descent around the world are appalled by Dr. Chihombori-Quao’s unjust dismissal. Instead of dismantling her movement to liberate the people of African Descent from colonialism and pursue financial freedom, her dismissal has galvanized African Diaspora in the spirit of UBUNTU – I am because you are!,” said Prof. Apollos Nwauwa the secretary of African Diaspora Congress.
In the petition the African Diaspora Congress questions why she was dismissed, “who benefits from her removal? Or is Africa and peoples of African descent, still facing the debilitating effects of modern colonialism or neocolonialism?”