President John Dramani Mahama has secured a commitment from African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf to place the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa on the agenda of the next AU Summit.
The commitment was made during bilateral discussions held on the sidelines of the AU Extraordinary Summit in Accra, where the two leaders deliberated on the growing concerns over attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa.
President Mahama reiterated Ghana’s commitment to maintaining strong relations with South Africa but stressed that the safety and welfare of Ghanaians and other Africans affected by the violence could not be overlooked.
According to the President, addressing the matter through the African Union would provide an opportunity for an open and constructive continental dialogue aimed at tackling the underlying causes of the attacks.
“Sweeping the matter under the carpet will not resolve the root causes,” President Mahama stated, adding that placing the issue before the AU would allow South Africa to present its perspective while enabling member states to collectively identify lasting solutions.
He explained that the move is intended to strengthen African solidarity rather than assign blame, insisting that the continent must work together to protect its citizens wherever they live.
The development follows Ghana’s decision to evacuate some of its citizens from South Africa as the violence escalated. The government also formally petitioned the AU Commission to intervene and facilitate a continental response to the situation.
Reaffirming Ghana’s belief in regional cooperation, President Mahama said, “Africa’s strength lies in our unity.”
He noted that a coordinated response through the African Union remains the best path toward safeguarding the lives, livelihoods and investments of Africans across the continent while promoting peaceful coexistence among member states.
