ICC petition targets xenophobic violence in South Africa

Two Ghanaian nationals, former government spokesperson Palgrave Boakye‑Danquah and security analyst Emmanuel Kotin, filed a petition with the International Criminal Court on 15 July requesting a preliminary investigation into the surge of anti‑immigrant protests and violent attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa. The petition alleges a systematic pattern of attacks that could amount to crimes against humanity, accusing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government of failing to prevent, investigate and punish the violence, which has included murders, beatings, looting and the displacement of tens of thousands of migrants.

South Africa, where migrants make up about 5 % of the population, has experienced repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence over the years. Authorities have not yet commented on the ICC petition, and the Court has not indicated whether it will open a formal probe. The filing highlights growing concerns over the safety of African migrants in South Africa and the country’s ability to address widespread hate‑driven attacks.