Ghana Urges African Union To Address Xenophobic Attacks In South Africa
The government of Ghana has officially requested the African Union (AU) to prioritize the issue of xenophobic violence against African nationals in South Africa during the upcoming Eighth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, scheduled for June 24 to 27, 2026, in El Alamein, Egypt.
In a diplomatic letter addressed to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission yesterday, Ghana characterized the situation as one of “urgent continental concern” that necessitates a united African response.
The correspondence, signed by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, expressed profound alarm regarding the ongoing incidents of xenophobia in South Africa, which have resulted in fatalities, damage to investments, and threats to the safety and welfare of African migrants.
“It is especially alarming that acts of xenophobia, including violent assaults on fellow Africans, have continued in recent years,” the statement highlighted.
Ghana emphasized that these attacks are particularly distressing given the solidarity many African nations exhibited during South Africa’s struggle against apartheid and its transition to democracy.
While recognizing South Africa’s sovereignty and its obligation to safeguard all individuals within its borders, the Ghanaian government underscored that assaults on African nationals undermine “the shared values of African unity, brotherhood, and collective solidarity that all African Union Member States uphold.”
The letter further asserted that the persistent violence represents “a blatant infringement of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,” diminishes the essence of Pan-Africanism, and contradicts the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to facilitate free movement and economic integration across the continent.
Ghana called on the African Union to enhance monitoring systems, initiate a fact-finding mission to investigate the root causes of the violence, and promote dialogue and reconciliation efforts to foster tolerance and inclusivity.
The government of Ghana reiterated the importance of African unity in tackling this pressing issue.
“Africa’s future hinges on shared dignity, prosperity, and mutual respect,” the letter concluded.
Quoting Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana emphasized that “the full potential and liberation of Africa can only be realized when we stand united,” asserting that “no African should suffer indignity on African soil.”
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong