Nigeria, Ghana Take Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa to African Union, Seek Continental Action

Nigeria and Ghana have jointly condemned the recent wave of xenophobic attacks and anti-immigration protests in South Africa, urging the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to present a united front and raise the issue at the African Union (AU).

The call was made during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where both countries described the attacks on African migrants as unacceptable.

Representing President Bola Tinubu at the summit, Vice President Kashim Shettima condemned the attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.

“Nigeria condemns in the strongest terms the recent attacks on its citizens and other Africans in the Republic of South Africa,” Shettima said.

He urged ECOWAS leaders to table the issue at the next African Union summit, saying a collective response would send a strong message that xenophobia and intolerance have no place on the continent.

Shettima also reminded South Africa that the freedoms it enjoys today were achieved with the support and sacrifices of several African countries, including Nigeria, during the anti-apartheid struggle.

He disclosed that Nigeria has already evacuated more than 1,490 of its citizens from South Africa in seven batches and remains prepared to take additional measures if necessary.

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama also called on ECOWAS to ensure the matter is placed on the agenda of the next African Union meeting.

Mahama said Africa’s liberation was built on solidarity among African nations and warned that the actions of a minority should not be allowed to undermine that legacy.

The Ghanaian government recently cancelled a planned state visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa over concerns that widespread protests could erupt amid rising tensions linked to the xenophobic attacks.

Nigeria has also indicated it will seek compensation from the South African government for Nigerians whose businesses and properties were destroyed during the attacks and for those forced to flee for their lives.

Both Nigeria and Ghana have recorded casualties among their citizens following the latest wave of violence, which intensified after anti-immigration groups reportedly issued a June 30 deadline for foreign Africans to leave South Africa.

Ghana was among the first countries to evacuate its nationals from South Africa and has so far brought home more than 1,000 citizens. The government says the final batch of evacuees is expected to return by July 25.

Meanwhile, the ECOWAS summit elected Senegal’s President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, as the new Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government for a two-year term.

The summit also appointed former Senegalese Chief of General Staff, Birame Diop, as President of the ECOWAS Commission. He succeeds Omar Touray of The Gambia and becomes the first Senegalese to hold the position since ECOWAS was established in 1975.