President John Dramani Mahama has secured a commitment from African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf to place the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa on the agenda of the next AU Summit.
The commitment was secured during bilateral talks between President Mahama and the AU Commission Chairperson on the sidelines of the AU Extraordinary Summit held in Accra.
President Mahama used the meeting to raise concerns over the violence and attacks involving foreign nationals in South Africa, stressing that Ghana remains committed to maintaining strong relations with the country.
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He, however, said Ghana could not remain silent over the pain, losses and suffering endured by Ghanaians and other Africans caught up in the crisis.
According to President Mahama, addressing the xenophobic attacks in South Africa through the AU would provide an opportunity for dialogue and help African leaders find lasting solutions to the underlying causes of the crisis.
“Sweeping the matter under the carpet will not resolve the root causes,” President Mahama stressed.
He said bringing the issue before the AU would give South Africa a fair platform to respond to the concerns raised while creating an opportunity for member states to work together towards a sustainable solution.
AU action
The development follows Ghana’s decision to airlift some of its citizens home amid escalating violence in South Africa.
The Ghanaian government also formally wrote to the African Union Commission to demand action over the situation.
President Mahama’s intervention is aimed at ensuring that the concerns surrounding the xenophobic attacks in South Africa receive attention at the highest level of the continental body.
The President emphasised that Ghana’s position was not driven by hostility towards South Africa but by the need to protect African citizens and address challenges that threaten peace, security and economic cooperation across the continent.
He maintained that Africa’s strength lies in unity and collective action, arguing that issues affecting African citizens should be addressed through dialogue and solidarity.
“Africa’s strength lies in our unity,” President Mahama said, underscoring the need for African leaders to work together to protect the lives, rights and investments of citizens across the continent.
The President’s engagement with the AU Commission Chairperson forms part of his broader efforts to promote dialogue and strengthen continental cooperation in responding to crises affecting African citizens.
The commitment to place the xenophobic attacks in South Africa on the agenda of the next AU Summit is expected to provide a platform for member states to examine the causes of the violence and explore measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
President Mahama continues to advocate for dialogue, solidarity and collective African solutions to challenges that affect the lives and investments of Africans across the continent.