Nigeria and Ghana condemned the recent Afrophobic protests targeting citizens of other African nations in South Africa. In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, the two countries expressed their intention to bring this issue to the next summit of the African Union (AU).
The foreign ministers of Nigeria and Ghana held discussions over the weekend during a meeting of the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) in Liberia. South Africa has long attracted migrants from other African countries due to its relative wealth, which periodically leads to tensions.
Consequences of the protests and repatriation
Tens of thousands of foreigners have been compelled to leave the country in recent weeks amid escalating xenophobic protests and violence. Nearly 1,500 Nigerians and about 1,000 Ghanaians were repatriated from South Africa after anti-immigrant groups set a deadline of June 30 for undocumented migrants to exit the country.
Abuja and Accra stated that the protests undermine the ideals of African unity, solidarity, and regional integration that are foundational to the African Union. They called for an urgent coordinated regional response and the strengthening of mechanisms within the AU, including monitoring, early warning systems, and preventive diplomacy. Abuja also indicated that it would seek compensation from Pretoria for property and businesses left behind by repatriated Nigerian citizens.
Source: Africanews
