Ghana President Mahama pushes AU debate on South Africa xenophobic unrest

Ghana President John Mahama called on the African Union (AU) to put the wave of xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa on its agenda. He said the violence, which has driven more than 160,000 migrants to leave South Africa and caused several deaths, threatens African solidarity and integration. Mahama noted that AU Commission chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf recognised the urgent need to discuss the issue at the AU summit slated for February 2027, stating that “placing this on the AU agenda gives South Africa a formal, constructive platform to share its perspective and work toward a lasting solution.” He also criticised South African authorities for not responding adequately and warned that the perpetrators of the attacks are known but remain free. Two Ghanaians have lodged a petition with the International Criminal Court to investigate the repeated xenophobic attacks, a move Pretoria described as opportunistic.