Ghana Wants the African Union to Address Xenophobic Violence in South Africa

Ghanaian President John Mahama indicated on Thursday that he has once again called on the African Union (AU) to include discussions on "the increase in xenophobic attacks" targeting foreign nationals in South Africa on its agenda.

At the same time, two Ghanaians have approached the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate these "repeated xenophobic attacks," a move that Pretoria has labeled as "opportunistic."

South Africa, which has long been a destination for African workers, has been shaken by several weeks of protests and violence targeting immigrants, who are accused of taking jobs and resources from the country.

More than 160,000 foreigners have left the country in the past two months, according to data provided by various countries and compiled by AFP, putting a strain on Pretoria's relations with other African governments.

Ghana had already requested in May that the AU discuss this violence. Mr. Mahama stated that the AU Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, acknowledged in February the "urgency" of placing this issue on the agenda for the next summit of the organization, scheduled for 2027.

"Including this item on the AU agenda provides South Africa with a formal and constructive platform to present its viewpoint and to work together, as a continent, towards a sustainable solution," Mr. Mahama said on social media on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the Ghanaian president spoke with the AU leader on the sidelines of a health summit of the organization in Accra, stating that it "does not seem that the South African authorities are responding to the level one might expect."

"The individuals financing these xenophobic attacks are known and have been left free to continue acting as they wish," he mentioned in proposals relayed by Ghanaian media.

He added that the AU must "look into" this issue, which could "nullify everything we have worked for, African solidarity and African integration."

South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, who visited Ghana earlier this week to meet Mr. Mahama, told reporters upon his return that this trip to Accra was aimed at responding to the "ongoing flow from Ghana."

He indicated that both parties agreed that in the case of irregular migration, it should be addressed "humanely and not by people taking the law into their own hands," referring to the "isolated incidents" that occurred in South Africa.

"We condemn these acts. We do not encourage any citizen to take the law into their own hands, and we call on law enforcement to arrest anyone acting in this manner," he added.

- ICC Seized -

Ghana and Nigeria have been the most vocal in condemning anti-immigrant violence.

A summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), held over the weekend, supported Ghana's initiative to launch a debate within the AU "to find a permanent solution," particularly highlighting the disgraceful treatment inflicted on West African citizens in South Africa.

In a request submitted to the ICC on July 15, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a former spokesperson for the Ghanaian government, and Emmanuel Kotin, a terrorism analyst, claimed that South African authorities had "failed" in their duty to protect foreign nationals against "illegal killings" and "hate speech."

A spokesperson for the South African government, Chrispin Phiri, stated that the request did not meet the necessary criteria for an ICC investigation, adding that the country has laws to punish "hate crimes and hate speech."

But Mr. Kotin stated that South Africa "cannot be the judge in its own case," he told AFP.

"The ICC has already investigated similar allegations elsewhere," he noted.

He claimed to have no personal interest in this request but simply wanted to "raise awareness so that other African countries do not replicate what is happening in South Africa."

"The continent is already facing violent extremist groups, particularly in the Sahel," he continued.

Susanna Deetlefs, from the American NGO Acled, which tracks conflicts worldwide, stated that "more than 30% of protests in July escalated into violence." ...