The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally petitioned the African Union to place the issue of xenophobic attacks in South Africa on the agenda of its upcoming mid-year coordination meeting, citing growing concerns over the safety of African nationals.
In an official communication dated May 6, 2026, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, requested that the matter be treated as one of urgent continental importance at the Eighth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting scheduled to take place from June 24 to 27 in El Alamein, Egypt.
The letter highlights Ghana’s deep concern over recurring xenophobic incidents in South Africa, which it says have led to loss of lives, destruction of property, and heightened insecurity for African migrants living in the country. The government described the persistence of such attacks as particularly troubling given Africa’s historical unity during the anti-apartheid struggle.
According to the statement, the targeting of African nationals undermines the core principles of continental solidarity, unity, and brotherhood that underpin the African Union. While acknowledging South Africa’s sovereignty and its responsibility to maintain internal security, Ghana stressed that the situation has broader implications for the continent.
The communication argues that the attacks constitute a violation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to which South Africa is a signatory. It further states that the incidents weaken ongoing integration efforts and contradict the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims to promote free movement and economic cooperation across member states.
Ghana is proposing a series of measures for consideration by the African Union. These include formally placing the issue on the meeting agenda, strengthening monitoring mechanisms to ensure member states uphold their obligations, and establishing a fact-finding mission to investigate the root causes of xenophobic violence in South Africa.
The government is also calling for dialogue and reconciliation initiatives aimed at promoting tolerance and reinforcing the ideals of Pan-African unity. Officials believe that addressing the issue at the continental level will provide a more coordinated and sustainable response.
In its concluding remarks, Ghana reaffirmed its belief in a united and prosperous Africa, referencing the vision of Kwame Nkrumah, who championed continental unity as the pathway to Africa’s full emancipation and development.
The move comes amid renewed tensions linked to anti-foreigner violence in parts of South Africa, which has drawn reactions from several African governments and raised questions about migrant safety across the continent.
Observers say Ghana’s intervention signals a push for stronger collective accountability within the African Union framework, especially on issues that threaten regional stability and integration.
The outcome of the June meeting is expected to shape how African leaders address xenophobia moving forward, with potential implications for migration policy, regional cooperation, and the broader vision of a unified Africa.
