ACCRA, Ghana — Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has raised concerns over South Africa’s handling of recent xenophobic attacks, saying the country’s authorities have not responded with the urgency and scale that the crisis demands.
Speaking on the growing violence targeting foreign nationals, President Mahama said the attacks require a stronger and more decisive response to protect the lives, dignity, and rights of African citizens living in South Africa.
“The response has not matched the magnitude of the crisis,” Mahama said, emphasizing that attacks against fellow Africans undermine the principles of African unity and solidarity that underpin the African Union.
The President’s comments come amid renewed reports of violence, intimidation, and threats directed at foreign nationals, including migrants from several African countries, prompting concern among governments across the continent.
Mahama stressed that African governments have a collective responsibility to ensure that citizens can live and work safely anywhere on the continent without fear of discrimination or violence.
He urged South African authorities to strengthen law enforcement efforts, hold perpetrators accountable, and implement measures to prevent further attacks.
The Ghanaian leader also called on African leaders to address the underlying causes of xenophobia through greater regional cooperation, economic inclusion, and public education aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence.
His remarks follow broader discussions within the African Union regarding the protection of African migrants and the need to uphold the rights and dignity of all Africans, regardless of where they reside.
The issue of xenophobic violence has remained a recurring point of concern for several African governments over the years, with periodic outbreaks of attacks straining diplomatic relations and raising questions about regional integration under the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to working with fellow African nations to promote peace, unity, and respect for human rights across the continent, while calling for concrete action to ensure that all Africans can live in safety and dignity regardless of their country of residence.