The Director of Research for the United Party (UP), Dr. Ramzi Inusah, has criticised the African Union (AU) for its nonchalance on the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
He says the regional political body has kept silent over the issue despite Ghana petitioning the office to take action on the ongoing maltreatment being meted to fellow African descents in South Africa.
According to him, the AU has lost its influence and allowed external forces to take manipulate it, the reason it cannot act on issues that affect its members.
Speaking on the BigIssue segment on the NewDay morning show on TV3 Tuesday, May 26, 2026, he accused the regional block of reducing itself to a platform of political speeches.
“The African Union, I see it as a lame duck and indeed a body that needs to be rehauled to deal with the contemporary issues we are dealing with as Africans,” he stated.
“The African Union is more like a platform for just political speeches with no real action,” he added.
Dr. Inusah further explained that the Union’s headquarters in Ethiopia which was built by China in itself shows how dependent the bloc is.
“If you look at the structures of the African Union today and how it has been influenced by certain Western powers and indeed some of the Asian tigers, today, let’s look at the building in Addis Ababa, who built it? China. It was not funded by us. To what extent? Why would China build such an edifice for us? What is their interest?” he quizzed.
Ghana is currently evacuating its citizens from South Africa due to these xenophobic attacks.
The first batch of evacuees is expected to arrive in Accra today, May 26, 2026, with over 800 Ghanaians registered for evacuation assistance.
The government has instituted a support package, including financial assistance, transportation, and psychosocial support, to aid in their reintegration upon return to the country.
The xenophobic attacks have led to concerns about the safety and well-being of Ghanaians and other Africans in South Africa, with many calling on the AU to act on the foul development.
Ghana has petitioned the African Union to address the issue, citing violations of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and undermining of continental integration efforts.
The evacuation process was initially postponed due to logistical and legal requirements but is now underway, with the next batch expected to be flown into the country on Friday, May 29, 2026.
“We need to reform the African Union to deal with the contemporary issues of Africa,” Dr. Inusah reiterated.
South Africa xenophobic attacks: First batch of evacuees arrives today, May 26
