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ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 13-- Vulgar comments attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump has caused ourage across Africa. Trump reportedly used the word "shithole" to describe African countries, Haiti and El Salvador while discussing immigration issues with U.S. lawmakers on Thursday. Speaking to Xinhua, Abebe Ayente, senior researcher at Ethiopian Foreign Relations Strategic Studies (EFRSS), a local think thank, said the comments will further reduce the influence of U.S. at global stage. Trump issued a statement on Friday denying the vulgar words attributed to him, though he admitted to using strong language in the Thursday discussion. Trump's alleged remarks have caused outrage across the world with officials in African, European, Latin American countries and UN expressing condemnation and summoning U.S. diplomats in protest. Ayene said the undiplomatic word used by the U.S. President that shocked the diplomatic community across the globe will likely have a long-lasting impact. The African Union (AU) issued a statement on Friday evening calling Trump's reported remarks outrageous and hurtful. "While expressing shock, dismay and outrage, the African Union strongly believes there's a huge misunderstanding of the African continent and its people by the current administration. There is a serious need for dialogue between the U.S. Administration and the African countries," said the AU statement. | 
