The Government of Ghana has formally petitioned the African
Union (AU) over recent xenophobic attacks against foreign
nationals, mostly African migrants, in South Africa.
This follows reports of violent assaults on foreign nationals
in parts of South Africa in recent weeks, where groups of
locals have allegedly attacked and driven away Africans over
job-related tensions.
The attacks have reportedly led to the deaths of some African
nationals, while others have been displaced from their homes
and businesses.
In a letter dated May 6 and addressed to the Chairperson of the
AU Commission, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel
Okudzeto Ablakwa, requested that the matter be placed on the
agenda of the Eighth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the
African Union scheduled for June 24 to 27, 2026, in El Alamein.
“The Government of Ghana remains deeply concerned by the
recurrence of xenophobic incidents in the Republic of South
Africa, which have regrettably resulted in the loss of lives,
destruction of investment and continue to pose serious risk to
the safety and wellbeing of many African nationals residing in
South Africa,” portions of the letter stated.
The Minister noted that the continued attacks undermine African
unity and the principles of Pan-Africanism.
He stressed that while Ghana respects the sovereignty of South
Africa, the targeting of African nationals poses a threat to
the ideals of continental solidarity and integration.
According to the letter, the situation “undermines the spirit
of integration and Pan-Africanism which envisions a united,
prosperous, and peaceful continent.”
Ghana further argued that the attacks violate the African
Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and contradict the
objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which
promotes free movement and economic cooperation across Africa.
The government also proposed a number of measures for
consideration by the AU, including the establishment of a
fact-finding mission into the causes of the violence and the
facilitation of dialogue and reconciliation initiatives in
South Africa.