Nigeria, Ghana Condemn Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa

Nigeria and Ghana have strongly condemned the escalating anti-immigrant violence in South Africa, which has forced nearly 150,000 people to flee their homes in recent weeks. The two West African nations are urging the international community to address the issue of "Afrophobia" at the upcoming African Union summit.

During a meeting on the sidelines of the West African economic bloc ECOWAS summit in Liberia, the foreign ministers of Ghana and Nigeria discussed the recent "Afrophobic protests and incidents targeting African nationals in South Africa." They issued a joint statement condemning "all forms of xenophobia, Afrophobia, intolerance and violence against fellow Africans."

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condemned all forms of xenophobia, Afrophobia, intolerance and violence against fellow Africans.

Nigeria has facilitated the repatriation of 1,490 of its citizens from South Africa, while Ghana has brought back at least 926 nationals. The ministers emphasized the critical need for "urgent, coordinated regional and continental responses" to tackle the root causes of the anti-immigrant tensions plaguing South Africa, the continent's wealthiest nation.

Ghana had previously requested a debate on "xenophobic attacks" within South Africa at the African Union summit earlier this year. The ministers stressed that addressing Afrophobia is crucial for regional stability and solidarity among African nations.

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stressed the need for “urgent, coordinated regional and continental responses” to address the causes behind the anti-immigrant tensions.