Pretoria: The Government of South Africa has rejected allegations of xenophobic attacks targeted at African nationals, defending its migration policies and dedication to Pan-African solidarity. This development comes amid Ghana's call for the African Union (AU) to address the issue at its forthcoming summit in Egypt.
According to Ghana News Agency, the South African Government acknowledged isolated incidents involving immigrants but affirmed that authorities promptly addressed these situations. The government maintained there is no credible evidence supporting claims that Ghanaian and Nigerian nationals were killed by law enforcement during recent protests.
The South African response follows a formal diplomatic appeal by Ghana to the African Union Commission to include the issue, titled 'Xenophobic Attacks in the Republic of South Africa against African Nationals,' on the agenda for the Eighth AU Mid-Year Coordination Meeting scheduled for June 24 to 27, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt. Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, highlighted the urgency of addressing recurring attacks on African migrants in South Africa, emphasizing the need for collective African action.
Ghana expressed concern over the loss of lives, destruction of businesses, and growing insecurity among African nationals in South Africa. The letter from Ghana stressed that these attacks undermine African solidarity and unity, especially given the support Africa extended to South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle. Ghana argued that these incidents contradict the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and violate the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.
Ghana proposed that the AU enhance continental monitoring mechanisms, initiate a fact-finding mission into xenophobic violence in South Africa, and facilitate dialogue and reconciliation efforts to promote tolerance and Pan-African unity.
In a media statement from South Africa's Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Pretoria described Ghana's move to escalate concerns to the AU as 'regrettable'. The South African Government remains committed to diplomatic engagement and constructive dialogue with African states on mutual concerns.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, during South Africa's Freedom Day celebration, condemned xenophobia and warned against prejudice towards fellow Africans. President Ramaphosa acknowledged Africa's solidarity during South Africa's liberation struggle and emphasized that concerns over illegal migration should not fuel hatred against immigrants.
South Africa's Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, engaged with his Ghanaian and Nigerian counterparts, as well as African ambassadors in Pretoria, to clarify recent developments. The South African Government reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights of nationals, residents, and visitors following the rule of law.
South Africa has emphasized the migration pressures it faces as the continent's largest host of African migrants, with approximately three million migrants, 90 percent from African countries. The government pointed to economic hardship, unemployment, social inequality, and undocumented migration as contributors to community tensions.
South Africa remains committed to regional and continental migration frameworks and has outlined measures to improve immigration management, including a points-based visa system, migration policy reforms, and tighter border management. Since April 2023, the Border Management Authority has deported around 500,000 undocumented migrants.
Pretoria argued that migration challenges in Africa require practical solutions based on burden-sharing, governance reforms, and regional cooperation rather than division and blame. Should the AU agree to discuss Ghana's proposal, South Africa plans to address 'push and pull factors' driving migration, including governance, democracy, and economic disparities.
The diplomatic exchanges between Ghana and South Africa underscore growing concerns over migration governance, regional integration, and the protection of migrants' rights across Africa. Xenophobic violence in South Africa has periodically sparked diplomatic tensions on the continent over the past two decades, affecting migrants from Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Mozambique, and Ethiopia.