Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent to southern Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launched a raid on the Ksar Zaatar neighborhood in western Nabatieh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The tower destroyed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza includes media offices, including Al Mayadeen's bureau.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Four fetuses and three premature babies died at Nasser Medical Complex due to malnutrition
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7

Germany apologizes for racist tweet belittling Africa

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 27 Jan 2023 20:19
2 Min Read

Several have criticized the tweet in what clearly appears to be a display of neocolonial mindset.

  • x
  • Germany apologizes for outrageous tweet belittling Africa
    Screenshot of Germany  MFA's tweet

Germany issued an apology on Thursday following outrage it sparked with a tweet aiming at mocking Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov who has recently completed a series of state visits across the African continent. 

The tweet, which was published on Tuesday, and contained a leopard emoji, insinuated that trips to Africa are merely restricted to tourist attractions, including its wildlife.

The Russian Foreign Minister #Lavrov is in Africa, not to see 🐆, but to bluntly claim that #Ukraine’s partners “want to destroy everything Russian”. Here is a 🧵 with all of his “evidence”: 1/3

— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) January 24, 2023

Several have criticized the tweet in what clearly appears to be a display of neocolonial mindset.

An African Union official likewise responded to the tweet by stating that what the German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said was the continent being portrayed as only about wild animals.

For instance, the spokeswoman for AU Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat, Ebba Kalondo, tweeted the following: 

Hi @GermanyDiplo.Your boss @ABaerbock visited the @_AfricanUnion based in one of the more than 20 African countries that Germany enjoys reciprocal diplomatic relations with. Did she come to see animals? Or is the Continent of Africa, its people & wildlife just a joke to you? https://t.co/RkzWsBbBoH

— Ebba Kalondo (@EbbaKalondo) January 25, 2023

In a follow-up tweet, Ebba wrote:

Related News

PIJ condemns German FM's justification for civilian targeting in Gaza

German Foreign Minister calls for further sanctions on Iran

Don't apologise.Just be careful.And respect us as we respect you.Foreign policy is not a joke nor should it be used to score cheap geopolitical points by illustrating an entire Continent with colonial tropes on any issue.Ever. Andyou might want to have a word with @TofferSchmidt https://t.co/tEc5Z46HSJ

— Ebba Kalondo (@EbbaKalondo) January 26, 2023

In the apology, Baerbock said that the leopard emoji was referring to German-made Leopard tanks and that the tweet was intended “to call out the lies that Russia uses to justify its imperialist war of aggression against Ukraine.”

Lavrov has recently ended his tour in Africa where he has visited South Africa, Eswatini, Angola and Eritrea. 

During his trips, the Russian diplomat met with several heads of state and high-ranking officials to discuss bilateral issues and strengthen cooperation in all front. 

Read more: Lavrov slams US bill to stop Russian 'malign' activities as colonial

On Friday, Lavrov said that the West is seeking to restore Africa's colonial dependence as they attempt to break the continent's cooperation with Russia.

"With a persistence worthy of better application, [American, British, and EU states] require African countries not to cooperate with the Russian Federation, not to go against a general discipline, by which they, the West, understand the restoration of colonial dependence, by and large, but already in a new form," Lavrov told journalists after a visit to Eritrea.

Since the start of the conflict, Russia continued to made food deliveries, as well as fertilizers, and energy to Africa as the West was seeking to undermine cooperation via anti-Russian sanctions. 

Read more: Russian FM Lavrov lands in Eritrea in surprise visit

  • German Foreign Minister
  • African Union
  • Annalena Baerbock
  • Lavrov

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Australia warned of deadly climate risks in landmark report
Environment

Millions at risk from rising seas, extreme heat in Australia: Report

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un inspects a new weapons factory in undisclosed location, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, August 31, 2025 (AP)
Politics

DPRK defies US, says nuclear state status 'permanently enshrined'

Soldier F faces trial over bloody Sunday killings after 53 years
Miscellaneous

British Soldier F faces trial over Bloody Sunday killings after 53 yrs

Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrate at the University of Sydney to protest the Israel Hamas war, Wednesday, April 24, 2024 (AP)
Politics

Protest outside ABC decries media silence on Gaza journalist killings

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS