Ghana’s president asks for AU debate on South Africa’s ‘escalating xenophobic attacks’

What the report says

France 24, citing AFP, reported that Ghanaian President John Mahama on Thursday renewed his request for the African Union to formally discuss anti-immigrant violence in South Africa, describing the situation as worsening. The report said more than 160,000 foreign nationals have left South Africa over the past two months, while several people have died amid hostility directed at undocumented migrants. The article was issued on July 23, 2026, and noted that Ghanaian returnees had arrived in Accra in late May following concerns over unrest.

According to France 24, South Africa has faced weeks of protests and attacks aimed at immigrants, who have been accused by local groups of taking jobs and public resources. Mahama first sought AU action in May and said AU Commission chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf had recognized the need to put the matter before the bloc’s next summit, expected in February. Mahama argued that an AU agenda item would give South Africa a structured forum to present its position while African states seek a joint response.

The report also said Mahama met Youssouf on the sidelines of an AU meeting in Accra and criticized what he viewed as an inadequate response by South African authorities. Youssouf called the violence a major concern and referred to discussions with South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola about managing illegal migration through legal procedures.

France 24 further reported that two Ghanaians, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah and Emmanuel Kotin, petitioned the International Criminal Court on July 15 over alleged failures to protect foreign nationals. South African government spokesman Chrispin Phiri rejected the move, saying it did not meet the ICC threshold and pointing to domestic laws on hate crimes and hate speech. The issue has strained relations between Ghana and South Africa, though Mahama said Ghana bore no ill will toward Pretoria.