Xenophobic Attacks: African Union Must Act to Protect All Africans – IGER Africa

Xenophobic Attacks: Governance, religion and policy think tank, IGER Africa, has called on African leaders to take decisive action in response to the resurgence of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, urging the African Union (AU) to demand protection for all Africans across the continent.

In a strongly worded statement issued by its executive director, Paul Abrokwa, the organisation appealed to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the situation comprehensively and implement firm protections for foreign nationals.

IGER Africa stressed that the attacks must be treated as hate crimes, warning that failure to act decisively risks undermining Africa’s unity and shared identity.

A Call for Continental Responsibility

The think tank emphasised that the responsibility to address xenophobia goes beyond South Africa alone, calling on continental bodies to intervene.

“The AU must rise and demand protection for all Africans. ECOWAS must also act immediately to protect West African citizens,” the statement said.

It warned that continued violence against fellow Africans threatens the vision of an “African Century” built on unity, cooperation, and mutual respect.

Xenophobic Attacks: “A Betrayal of Ubuntu”

In its statement titled “The Betrayal of Ubuntu: South Africa Must Remember Who Carried Them to Freedom,” IGER Africa described the attacks as not only a human rights crisis but also a historical betrayal of pan-African solidarity.

The organisation recalled the role played by African nations in supporting South Africa’s liberation struggle, noting contributions from countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia, and Ethiopia.

According to the statement, the freedom South Africa enjoys today was achieved through collective African effort, making the current violence against other Africans deeply troubling.

Rejecting Scapegoating

While acknowledging the economic challenges facing South Africa, including high unemployment rates, IGER Africa rejected narratives blaming foreign nationals for the country’s difficulties.

It argued that targeting migrants diverts attention from structural issues such as governance failures and economic inequality.

“Scapegoating fellow Africans for domestic challenges is not a solution. It reflects a failure to address the root causes of the problem,” the statement noted.

Diplomatic Engagement and Regional Action

IGER Africa commended Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for engaging his South African counterpart on the issue, describing the move as a step in the right direction.

However, it called for broader diplomatic action, urging African foreign ministers to form a united front to address what it described as a recurring pattern of violence.

A Threat to Africa’s Global Moral Standing

The think tank further warned that internal divisions weaken Africa’s position on global issues, including calls for reparations for historical injustices.

It argued that acts of violence against fellow Africans undermine the continent’s moral authority on the international stage.

Final Appeal

IGER Africa concluded by urging President Ramaphosa to take immediate and decisive action to halt the attacks and restore confidence among African nationals living in South Africa.

“The xenophobic attacks must stop now. South Africa must uphold the spirit of Ubuntu—not as a slogan, but as a moral obligation,” the statement stressed.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting ethical governance, justice, and unity across Africa, warning that failure to act could erode the continent’s collective identity and future aspirations.