South Africa denies xenophobia claims as Ghana pushes AU action
The South African Government has dismissed allegations of targeted xenophobic attacks against African nationals, insisting that while isolated incidents involving migrants have occurred, there is no evidence of systematic attacks or killings of Ghanaians and Nigerians by security forces.
The response comes after Ghana formally requested the African Union (AU) to place the issue of xenophobic attacks in South Africa on the agenda of the Eighth AU Mid-Year Coordination Meeting scheduled for June 24 to 27, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt.
In a letter signed by Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana described recurring attacks against African migrants in South Africa as an urgent continental matter that requires collective African action.
According to Ghana, the incidents have led to deaths, destruction of businesses and growing fear among African migrants living in South Africa.
The Ghanaian government argued that such attacks undermine African unity, solidarity and the spirit of Pan-Africanism, especially considering the support many African countries offered South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle.
Ghana further stated that the incidents contradict the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and violate provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
As part of its proposals, Ghana urged the AU to establish stronger monitoring systems, launch a fact-finding mission into the violence and promote dialogue and reconciliation efforts aimed at fostering tolerance and continental unity.
Responding in a detailed statement issued by South Africa’s Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, the South African Government described Ghana’s decision to escalate the matter to the AU as “regrettable”.
Pretoria maintained that it remained committed to diplomatic engagement and constructive dialogue with African partners on migration and related concerns.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, quoted in the statement, condemned xenophobia and warned against hostility toward fellow Africans.
“We did not walk alone into freedom. We were carried by a tide of solidarity from the nations of Africa,” President Ramaphosa stated during South Africa’s Freedom Day celebration on April 27, 2026.
He added that South Africa should never “trample into the dust the African fellowship that made our freedom possible.”
South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has also engaged Ghanaian and Nigerian officials, as well as African ambassadors in Pretoria, to clarify recent developments.
According to the South African Government, there is no credible evidence supporting reports that Ghanaian and Nigerian nationals were killed during recent protests and confrontations.
“There is no credible evidence to draw this conclusion at this stage,” the statement stressed.
Pretoria also blamed social media misinformation and manipulated footage for inflaming tensions and spreading fear.
The South African Government explained that the country currently hosts about three million migrants, with nearly 90 per cent coming from other African countries, making it one of the continent’s largest destinations for African migrants.
Authorities said economic hardship, unemployment, inequality and undocumented migration have contributed to tensions in some communities.
However, the government insisted that the majority of migrants have integrated peacefully into society and continue to strengthen ties between South Africa and other African nations.
South Africa further outlined measures being implemented to manage migration, including reforms to immigration policies, a points-based visa system, tighter border controls and deportation exercises targeting undocumented migrants.
According to the statement, South Africa’s Border Management Authority has deported about 500,000 undocumented migrants since April 2023.
Pretoria argued that migration challenges across Africa should be addressed through cooperation, economic development, governance reforms and burden-sharing rather than division and blame.
The government added that if Ghana’s proposed item is included on the AU summit agenda, South Africa would also push for broader discussions on the root causes of migration across the continent, including governance challenges, economic disparities and unemployment.
The latest diplomatic exchanges between Ghana and South Africa have reignited debate over migration governance, regional integration and the protection of migrants’ rights across Africa.