Ghanaian President John Mahama has renewed calls for an AU debate on xenophobia following rising attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa.
According to Vanguard, Mahama said on Thursday that the unrest was escalating and required urgent continental attention.
South Africa has witnessed weeks of protests and violence targeting African immigrants. Some local groups accuse foreign nationals of taking jobs and placing pressure on public resources.
More than 160,000 foreign nationals have reportedly left the country during the past two months. Several migrants have also lost their lives as hostility towards undocumented residents increased.
The violence has placed South Africa’s relationship with other African countries under growing pressure.
Ghana first requested an African Union discussion on the issue in May.
Mahama said the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, had recognised the urgent need for talks.
The matter could appear on the agenda of the AU’s next summit, scheduled for February 2027.
AU debate on xenophobia offers constructive path
Mahama said placing the matter before the continental body would allow South Africa to explain its position.
He added that African leaders could then work together towards a lasting solution.
“Placing this on the AU agenda gives South Africa a formal, constructive platform to share its perspective,” Mahama said.
He added that the approach would allow African countries to seek a collective solution to the unrest.
The Ghanaian leader met Youssouf on Wednesday during an African Union meeting in Accra.
During the meeting, Mahama expressed concern about the response of South African authorities.
He said officials had not addressed the violence with the level of urgency expected from them.
“It doesn’t appear that the South African authorities are responding to the magnitude that one would expect them to,” he said.
Mahama also alleged that those funding the anti-migrant attacks were known but had not faced appropriate action.
He warned that continued violence could damage years of work towards African unity and integration.
According to him, the crisis threatens the principles of solidarity that African countries have tried to promote.
However, Mahama stressed that Ghana held no hostility towards South Africa.
Ghanaians petition ICC over attacks
Meanwhile, two Ghanaian nationals have asked the International Criminal Court to investigate repeated xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The petitioners want the court to examine the violence and determine whether those responsible should face international prosecution.
However, the South African government dismissed the move as opportunistic.
The petition adds to growing diplomatic pressure on Pretoria over its handling of attacks against African migrants.
South Africa has attracted both documented and undocumented workers from across the continent for decades.
However, economic hardship, unemployment and competition for services have repeatedly fuelled tensions between residents and migrants.
Ghana delays Ramaphosa’s visit
Ghana postponed a planned visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this month.
The decision followed the death of a Ghanaian citizen in South Africa.
South African authorities later said the killing had no connection with the recent anti-immigrant demonstrations.
Despite the explanation, the incident increased concern in Ghana about the safety of its citizens.
Mahama maintained that an AU debate on xenophobia would give African leaders an opportunity to address the wider crisis.
He said the continental body must show interest before the violence causes deeper divisions among member states.
