Ghanaian President John Mahama has renewed his appeal to the African Union (AU) to urgently address the growing wave of anti-immigrant violence in South Africa, warning that the situation continues to deteriorate and threatens the continent’s unity.
Mahama reiterated his position on Thursday, insisting that the issue should feature prominently on the agenda of the African Union as concerns mount over attacks targeting foreign nationals living in South Africa.
His renewed appeal comes as two Ghanaian citizens filed a petition before the International Criminal Court (ICC), requesting an investigation into what they described as repeated xenophobic attacks against African migrants in South Africa.
The South African government, however, dismissed the petition, describing it as an “opportunistic” attempt to internationalise the issue.
South Africa has for decades attracted both documented and undocumented migrants from across Africa because of its relatively advanced economy and employment opportunities.
In recent weeks, however, the country has witnessed violent protests and unrest directed at foreign nationals, many of whom have been accused by local groups of taking jobs and placing pressure on public resources.
Reports indicate that more than 160,000 foreign nationals have fled South Africa over the past two months as hostility against undocumented migrants intensified.
The violence has reportedly claimed several lives and has increasingly strained diplomatic relations between Pretoria and a number of African governments.
Ghana first urged the African Union to deliberate on the crisis in May, arguing that the attacks required a coordinated continental response.
Mahama disclosed that the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, had acknowledged the urgency of the issue and agreed that it should be presented during the AU Summit scheduled for February next year.
“Placing this on the AU agenda gives South Africa a formal, constructive platform to share its perspective, and together, as a continent, work toward a lasting solution,” Mahama wrote in a post on social media.
The Ghanaian leader also met with the AU Commission Chairperson on Wednesday during an African Union meeting held in Accra, where he expressed concern over what he described as the inadequate response by South African authorities.
According to Mahama, those allegedly financing or encouraging the attacks are known but have not been held accountable.
“It doesn’t appear that the South African authorities are responding to the magnitude that one would expect them to,” he said during remarks broadcast by Ghanaian media.
“The persons who are funding these xenophobic attacks are known and they have been left free to continue to do what they want to do,” he added.
Mahama warned that the continued violence poses a serious threat to the ideals of African integration and regional solidarity, stressing that the matter extends beyond the domestic affairs of South Africa.
He said the African Union must take a direct interest in resolving the crisis before it undermines decades of continental cooperation.
“This has the potential to wreck everything that we have worked for—African solidarity and African integration,” Mahama stated.
Despite his criticism, the Ghanaian President emphasised that his government harbours no hostility towards South Africa.
“We have no ill will toward South Africa,” he said.
Diplomatic relations between both countries have nevertheless been affected by the recent developments.
Earlier this month, Ghana postponed a planned official visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Accra following the death of a Ghanaian national.
South African authorities maintained that the victim’s death was unrelated to the ongoing anti-immigrant violence.
The latest remarks by Mahama add to growing calls from several African leaders for stronger regional action to curb xenophobic attacks, protect migrants and preserve the principles of free movement and African unity.
