PRESS RELEASE –
In response to ECOWAS leaders’ decision to table the issue of xenophobic attacks on Africans in South Africa before the next African Union summit, the Pretoria government has reaffirmed its “commitment to Pan-African solidarity, rule of law, and continental dialogue on migration…”
A statement by South Africa’s Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, however, described as “opportunistic,” the “petition submitted to the International Criminal Court (ICC) by two Ghanaian civilians,” on the xenophobic violence.
Noting the final communiqué issued following the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, the statement said “South Africa views ECOWAS as a vital pillar of continental integration. In the spirit of Pan-African solidarity, South Africa remains deeply committed to open, constructive, and action-oriented dialogue with ECOWAS Member States on matters of mutual concern, most notably regional stability and migration management.”
South Africans in their thousands have been protesting and attacking foreigners, including fellow Africans, mainly citizens of neighbouring countries and those from West Africa, including Ghana and Nigeria, accusing them of illegal migration and of “taking South African jobs and women.”
The attacks have resulted in several deaths, looting and destruction of businesses and properties belonging to the foreigners, hundreds of whom have been evacuated through special flights by their governments.
Independent observers have criticised the South African government and security agencies for not doing enough to stop the violence, which is seen as “unAfrican,” and especially against citizens of countries that supported the anti-apartheid struggle.
Nigeria and Ghana are some of the affected countries that have publicly condemned the attacks, which usually happen around South Africa’s election period. Ghana has also petitioned the African Union and denied South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s request to visit Ghana over the attacks.
“South Africa reiterates, in the strongest terms, its unyielding stance against all forms of social prejudice. We categorically reject xenophobia, racism, homophobia, and intolerance and discrimination in all their manifestations,” said the statement by the South African Foreign Ministry, adding: “Upholding the dignity of every person within our borders is both a constitutional imperative and a moral duty. South Africa remains steadfast in maintaining the rule of law and ensuring that those who perpetrate violence or unlawful acts are held fully accountable under our judicial system.”
It noted that “While South Africa continues to proactively resolve specific bilateral matters with West African partners, such as Ghana and Nigeria, our most high-volume migration dynamics are naturally concentrated within our immediate region, the Southern African Development Community (SADC).”
Furthermore, the statement said that South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ronald Lamola “welcomes the opportunity to engage on migration at the highest level of the African Union (Heads of State Summit) to ensure that migration across the continent becomes a choice rather than a necessity.”
“Establishing a dedicated agenda item at the African Union to address the primary push-and-pull factors and root causes of irregular migration, focusing squarely on good governance, democracy, and economic stability, will enable a pragmatic, comprehensive approach to continental migration challenges,” the statement quoted Minister Lamola as saying.
“…regarding the opportunistic petition submitted to the International Criminal Court by two Ghanaian civilians, South Africa notes that this filing fails to satisfy the statutory legal triggers and jurisdictional requirements necessary for action by the Court,” the statement said. “Furthermore, under the foundational principle of complementarity, South Africa maintains full confidence in its domestic legal framework. Crucially, legislation such as the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act directly gives effect to the Republic’s obligations under the Constitution and international human rights instruments concerning racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.”
Meanwhile, media reports said on Friday 24 July that President John Mahama received Minister Lamola, who visited Ghana as Special Envoy of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and both men discussed the xenophobic attacks.
Mahama also discussed the same issue with the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, during a courtesy call on the sidelines of the AU Extraordinary Health Summit in Accra, the reports said.
“President Ramaphosa sent a delegation to me yesterday. We met with them, and I explained why it was important for us to discuss the (xenophobic attacks),” the Ghanaian leader said, adding: “Sometimes these things happen and we want to sweep them under the carpet. But when we do that, we do not cure the problem.”
He stressed that Ghana “held no hostility towards” South Africa but the issue should be “openly addressed at the continental level…,” to “provide South Africa with an opportunity to outline the steps it is taking to curb the attacks and restore confidence among African nations.”
