Nigeria, Ghana Push for African Union Action Over Anti-Migrant Attacks in South Africa
The two West African nations have agreed to push for the issue to be tabled at the next African Union Summit, calling for stronger continental action against xenophobia and violence targeting African migrants.
West African nations call for a united continental response as concerns grow over xenophobic violence targeting African migrants in South Africa.
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone – Nigeria and Ghana have agreed to jointly advocate for stronger action by the African Union (AU) in response to the recent wave of anti-migrant protests and attacks targeting African nationals in South Africa, describing the incidents as a threat to African unity, peace and regional integration.
The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on the sidelines of the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
During their discussions, both ministers strongly condemned acts of xenophobia, Afrophobia and violence directed at fellow Africans living and working in South Africa. They stressed that no African citizen should face discrimination or attacks because of their nationality, adding that such incidents undermine the principles of Pan-Africanism and the African Union’s vision of continental unity.
The two countries agreed to push for the matter to be included on the agenda of the next African Union Summit, where African leaders are expected to consider a coordinated continental strategy to prevent future attacks, strengthen the protection of migrants and promote peaceful coexistence among member states.
Speaking after the meeting, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye emphasized the importance of preventive diplomacy, noting that African governments must work together to address emerging tensions before they escalate into regional crises. He said protecting the rights and dignity of African citizens across the continent remains a shared responsibility.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to collaborating with Nigeria and other African nations to ensure that xenophobic violence is tackled through collective diplomatic engagement rather than isolated national responses.
The renewed diplomatic effort follows growing reports of anti-migrant demonstrations and attacks in parts of South Africa, which have raised concerns among several African governments. The incidents have prompted renewed calls for stronger safeguards for migrants and greater cooperation among African states to address intolerance and discrimination.
The ministers also agreed that the African Union should play a more proactive role in promoting dialogue, enforcing existing continental agreements on human rights and free movement, and encouraging member states to uphold the values of solidarity and mutual respect.
Analysts believe the joint initiative by Nigeria and Ghana could strengthen calls for a continent-wide framework to combat xenophobia while advancing the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, both of which depend on the free movement of people, trade and investment across Africa.
The agreement underscores the determination of both countries to ensure that attacks against African migrants are treated not as isolated national issues but as a continental concern requiring a united African response.
TNAM
By Egwu Patience Nnennaya
Tuesday July 21st, 2026.
