Nigeria and Ghana have condemned recent violence against migrants in South Africa and called for the issue of “Afrophobia” to be addressed at the forthcoming African Union (AU) summit. The statements came as South Africa continues to experience widespread unrest targeting undocumented immigrants, prompting a mass exodus of tens of thousands from the country.
Over recent weeks, approximately 150,000 migrants have reportedly left South Africa. This figure is based on data from various African governments involved in repatriating their nationals. The violence, characterized by attacks and protests against foreign nationals, has drawn concern from regional leaders and highlighted ongoing tensions within South Africa, which remains the continent’s most economically developed country and a key destination for migrants.
On Friday, the foreign ministers of Nigeria and Ghana met on the sidelines of a summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Liberia to discuss the recent surge in anti-immigrant violence. According to a statement from the Nigerian government, the ministers condemned all forms of xenophobia, Afrophobia, intolerance, and violence targeting African nationals residing in South Africa.
Nigeria has organized the evacuation of 1,490 of its citizens, while Ghana has repatriated at least 926 migrants amid the unrest. The two West African nations emphasized the necessity for urgent and coordinated responses both at regional and continental levels to address the underlying factors fueling these tensions.
Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Nigerian Foreign Minister Sola Enikanolaiye jointly urged that Afrophobia be placed on the agenda for the next AU summit scheduled for early next year. This request follows a prior call by Ghana in May to hold an African Union debate on xenophobic attacks occurring in South Africa.
In a related development, the planned visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Accra has been postponed earlier this month, reflecting the diplomatic strain caused by the ongoing crisis. The unrest in South Africa has intensified debates on migration, national identity, and social cohesion across the continent, underscoring the challenges faced by governments in managing large migrant populations amid economic and social pressures.