The Junior Doctors of Africa (JDA), a representative body that unites Junior Doctors in over 35 countries in Africa with diverse cultural, religious, social, economic and political backgrounds, has condemned the recent xenophobic attacks in South and the Ebola ‎outbreak that have claimed thousands of lives.

“As Africa gradually emerges from the loss of thousands of lives from the Ebola Outbreak and struggling with the dismal social determinants of Health, we repudiate and denounce these actions that cause further unnecessary mortalities and morbidities and we heed the call for these heinous and barbaric attacks to end,” JDA said in a statement signed by Dr. Ezie Patrick C., Chair of the Junior Doctors of Africa.

JDA says the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa have led contravention of the declaration of Human Rights and contravention of health: a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

It believes that all Africans are entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Declaration of Human Rights, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

It also believe that no distinction should be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

While it acknowledge the growing socio-economic pressures faced by many in South Africa, in particular the triple challenges of inequality, unemployment and poverty; JDA says it does not see the attacks on fellow Africans as advancing the cause of resolving these triple challenges and further do not advance the cause of pushing back the frontiers of our imbalanced, sad and segregated past.

“Better ways to accomplish this always remain available for a better social discourse aimed at achieving a better tomorrow for all,” it maintains.

JDA therefore call on the law enforcement agencies to dedicate further and more effective resources towards achieving a total and permanent stop to these barbaric acts of violence.

In the same spirit, the Junior Doctors of Africa (JDA) encourages leaders from all formations, including government, political parties and traditional leaders to ensure that in their public engagements they refrain from any sort of inflammatory and inciting comments that fuel xenophobic attacks.

“Rather, leaders should utilise the public space afforded them to condemn and make assertive calls against these unfortunate and needless attack,” it advised.

Finally, in the spirit of non violence in the face of confrontation exemplified by the life of Nelson Mandela JDA urge members of the Junior Doctors Association in Africa to encourage their fellow countrymen in South Africa to refrain from inciting violence.