Beijing is facing a diplomatic disaster in Africa, after reports of alleged Coronavirus related discrimination against African nationals in China triggered widespread rage across the continent.

African students and expatriates in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou were last week subjugated to forced Coronavirus testing 14-day quarantine, regardless of recent travel history.

Tons of African nationals were also left homeless, after being evicted by landlords and refused entry into hotels in the city.

Having reportedly contained the virus within China, concerns have grown in recent weeks, over a so-called second wave, brought into the country by overseas travelers.

In Africa, however, governments, media outlets and citizens reacted angrily to the rise in anti-foreigner sentiments, as videos of Africans being harassed by police, sleeping on the streets or being locked into their homes under forced quarantine circulated online.

The front page of Kenya’s biggest newspaper on Saturday, led with the headline “Kenyans in China: Rescue us from hell”.

A member of the Kenyan Parliament called for the Chinese nationals to leave Kenya immediately.

Chukwugozie Okeke reporting, Obinwannem News