Ghana has announced that it has written a letter to the African Union (AU) regarding the recurring xenophobic attacks against African nationals, including Ghanaians, in South Africa.
Ghana was angered by the beating and killing of African nationals in South Africa during xenophobic attacks that erupted in recent weeks.
Local South Africans took the law into their own hands by stopping immigrants to demand proof of their legal status and, in the worst cases, beating and killing them in broad daylight on the streets. They have long claimed that immigrants take away jobs and economic opportunities, but immigrants do not accept this as a genuine cause.
African countries whose citizens were victimized complained that the government of South Africa failed to contain the attacks. Nigeria had already summoned the South African ambassador to express its dismay and offered voluntary repatriation for its nationals.
However, Ghana managed to make the issue a continental matter when it reported it to the AU. Ghana demanded that the AU place the matter on the agenda of its 8th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, according to DW.
Ghana sought AU intervention to prevent further escalation while urging other member states to ensure the free movement and protection of Africans.
According to several reports, Ethiopian nationals were also among the victims.
