African Union Blasts US Hypocrisy, History of Slavery

African Union members have pointed out and blasted the United States’ hypocrisy for banning immigrants from Muslim-majority countries despite the nation’s long history of African slavery.

“The very country to which many of our people were taken as slaves during the transatlantic slave trade has now decided to ban refugees from some of our countries,” said AU president Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, according to the Independent.

RELATED: UN Slams 'Developed Country' Border Closures After Trump's Ban

“What do we do about this? Indeed, this is one of the greatest challenges to our unity and solidarity.”

Dlamini-Zuma, 67, made the comment during the AU’s two-day summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Monday, which was attended by hundreds of African leaders.

She is considered a leading contender in South Africa's upcoming presidential race, Fortune reported, which is why she is stepping down as AU head this summer to run for the leadership of that nation's governing African National Congress party in December.

Trump’s executive order banning travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries include three African nations – Libya, Somalia and Sudan. Syrian refugees have been banned indefinitely.

African countries were praised by the United Nations secretary-general for their generosity with refugees, while the West was slammed for its xenophobic, protectionist stance.

RELATED: Lawyers Across the US Volunteer to Fight Trump's 'Muslim Ban'

"African borders remain open for those in need of protection when so many borders are being closed, even in the most developed countries in the world,” Antonio Guterres said, The Independent reported

Trump’s executive order, signed Friday, caused much chaos and confusion over the weekend, including from federal officials and agencies unsure of how to implement the new rules.