The Government of Ghana has petitioned the African Union to place the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa on its agenda at the Union’s upcoming Mid-Year Coordination Meeting to be attended by Heads of State and Government.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, May 7, 2026, Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who signed the petition on behalf of the Government said the xenophobic attacks in South Africa against other African nationals should be seen as “a matter of urgent continental interest.”
Expressing the enormity of the issue in the petition, Mr. Ablakwa indicated that the ongoing attacks in Southern most part of the continent “have regrettably resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of investment and continue to pose serious risk to the safety and wellbeing of many African nationals residing in South Africa.”
According to the petition, the “development is especially concerning when viewed in the light of the longstanding solidarity demonstrated by African states in support of the struggle against apartheid and South Africa’s subsequent democratic transformation.”
The petition further acknowledged the sovereignty of South Africa and its responsibility to protect citizens within its jurisdiction, and stressed that the attack on other African nationals contravenes certain principles in the AU charter which all members states are to adhere to.
“While fully acknowledging the sovereignty of the Republic of South Africa and its primary responsibility to protect all persons within its territory, the targeting of nationals from African countries presents a challenge to the shared principles of African solidarity, brotherhood, and continental unity to which all Member States of the African Union are committed.”
The Government of Ghana, having established that the ongoing attacks breaches the conventions of the Union to which South Africa is a party, requested the Chairperson of the AU Commission to consider during its upcoming deliberations;
(i) The inscription of this matter on the agenda of the Eighth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union in accordance with the rules of procedure;
(ii) The strengthening of African Union monitoring mechanisms to support Member States in upholding their obligations under the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
(iii) The establishment of a factfinding mission to examine the underlying causes of xenophobic violence in South Africa and to recommend appropriate remedial interventions to the African Union; and
(iv) The facilitation of dialogue and reconciliation initiatives aimed at promoting tolerance, inclusion, integration, and renewed commitment to continental unity among African peoples.
“The Government of Ghana firmly believes that, notwithstanding the painful legacy of slavery, colonialism, and apartheid, Africa’s future is one of shared dignity, prosperity, and mutual respect,” the statement added.
