The Forum of Former Heads of State and Government has urged African countries to “raise a strong protest” to the killing and demand that the “perpetrators of this crime and all other crimes of this sort be punished in the strongest terms”, according to a statement released by former Beninese President Nicéphore Soglo.

“What level of cruelty must you reach that the entire world finally wakes up and manifests its indignation. Who would dare here, their face visible, to treat in such a way a European, an Arab, an Israeli, an Indian, a Chinese, a Japanese, an Argentinian, etc. Enough is enough,” he said.

We stand with our kith and kin in America in these difficult and trying times, and we hope that the unfortunate ,tragic death of George Floyd will inspire a lasting change in how America confronts head on the problems of hate and racism.”

South Africa’s ruling party, African National Congress (ANC), has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to engage with the US “to diffuse racial tensions and build social cohesion among different races”.