Ghana Urges African Union to Address Xenophobic Violence in South Africa
Accra calls for formal AU debate as over 160,000 foreign nationals flee South Africa amid rising hostility against undocumented migrants.
Ghanaian President John Mahama has formally requested that the African Union convene a debate to address the escalating xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa. The appeal follows reports that more than 160,000 foreign nationals have fled the country over the past two months amid violence directed at undocumented migrants, resulting in several deaths. Mahama stated that the unrest poses a significant threat to continental solidarity and integration, urging the bloc to take a formal interest in the crisis.
During talks with AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf in Accra, Mahama expressed concern that South African authorities have not responded to the magnitude of the situation with the expected urgency. He alleged that individuals funding the xenophobic attacks are known but have been allowed to continue their activities without interference. Mahama warned that the violence has the potential to undermine years of work toward African integration, describing the situation as a serious breach of continental unity.
Youssouf acknowledged the violence as a major source of concern for the commission. He noted that despite previous meetings with South African officials, including Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, harassment of African citizens continues. Youssouf remarked that those harassing fellow Africans remain free to act, highlighting a disconnect between official pledges to handle illegal migrants through legal channels and the reality on the ground.
Concurrently, two Ghanaian nationals, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah and Emmanuel Kotin, have petitioned the International Criminal Court to investigate the violence. The petition alleges that South African authorities have failed to protect foreign nationals from unlawful killings and hate speech, amounting to acquiescence and potential state responsibility. The petitioners argue that the state has failed to prevent, investigate, and prosecute these acts.
The South African government has dismissed the ICC petition as opportunistic and stated it does not meet the threshold for investigation. Spokesman Chrispin Phiri affirmed that the country has laws in place to punish hate crimes and hate speech. Diplomatic tensions have also manifested in Ghana postponing a planned visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Accra following the death of a Ghanaian national, although Pretoria maintains the killing was unrelated to the anti-immigrant protests. Mahama clarified that while Ghana holds no ill will toward South Africa, it remains deeply concerned about the attacks and the significant financial losses suffered by Africans affected by the violence.
