Xenophobia in South Africa: What Can the AU Do?

Xenophobia in South Africa is an increasingly worrying issue, prompting condemnation from Ghana and Nigeria. These nations are calling on the African Union (AU) to place "Afrophobia" on the agenda of its next summit in early 2027.

The decision by Ghana and Nigeria to involve the AU suggests that bilateral efforts to curb xenophobic violence have failed. The article argues that the violence faced by their citizens is unacceptable, stating that while not all migrants are blameless, accusing them of all ills and subjecting them to "manhunts" crosses a line.

South African authorities' response is described as "deplorable" and bordering on complicity. Despite decades of xenophobic violence resulting in hundreds of deaths, the article claims little is done to deter perpetrators, with few cases leading to judicial prosecution. The government's recent statements, which deflect blame onto migrants' home countries and assert South Africa is merely enforcing its immigration laws, are seen as a denial of the problem.

The piece questions the AU's ability to act against South Africa, a "giant" on the continent. It highlights the repeated violation of the AU's Charter on the free movement of people, residence, and establishment, suggesting the continental body may be powerless to effect change.