AU Backs Broader Migration Talks After Ghana Raises South Africa Xenophobia Concerns

Ghana’s attempt to secure a dedicated African Union discussion on recent xenophobic violence in South Africa has not gained the required support, after the continental body accepted Pretoria’s call for the matter to be considered within a wider debate on African migration.

The diplomatic disagreement emerged during a meeting of the African Union Executive Council of foreign ministers in Addis Ababa. Ghana raised concerns about attacks on foreign nationals and sought to have the issue discussed separately at the AU summit scheduled for October.

South Africa opposed an approach that would focus exclusively on events within its borders.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola argued that migration pressures were affecting countries across Africa and should therefore be examined as a continental challenge rather than being connected to the actions of one member state.

South African officials pointed to conflict, unemployment, political instability and poor economic conditions as some of the factors causing millions of Africans to leave their countries in search of security and better opportunities elsewhere.

The AU eventually supported the broader migration-focused position advanced by South Africa, leaving Ghana’s request for a country-specific discussion outside the agreed approach.

Disagreement follows diplomatic tensions

The development comes after weeks of strained relations between Ghana and South Africa following renewed attacks on foreign nationals and foreign-owned businesses in parts of South Africa.

Ghana was among the African governments that strongly condemned the violence. Accra summoned South Africa’s High Commissioner, while President John Mahama discussed the protection of Ghanaian citizens and businesses with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The tensions also coincided with the postponement of a planned state visit by President Ramaphosa to Ghana. Both governments later maintained that the postponement was not connected to the attacks, although the violence remained a major subject in their diplomatic engagements.

Ghana’s position at the AU reflected its concerns about the security of its nationals and the need for stronger regional accountability when Africans living or working in other countries are targeted.

By requesting a dedicated discussion, Accra sought to draw greater continental attention to the protection of foreign nationals and their businesses.

South Africa, however, has repeatedly rejected efforts to present xenophobic violence as a problem unique to the country. Pretoria maintains that population movements across Africa must be addressed collectively, with greater attention given to the conditions forcing people to migrate.

AU shifts attention to migration governance

The outcome demonstrates South Africa’s ability to shape discussions within the African Union, while also indicating that migration governance is becoming a major continental policy issue.

Instead of concentrating solely on xenophobic violence in one member state, the AU is now expected to consider the wider economic, political and security pressures influencing cross-border movement.

For Ghana, questions remain about how African institutions will respond when citizens and businesses operating outside their home countries face violence.

For South Africa, the broader debate provides an opportunity to argue that migration pressures cannot be resolved through the condemnation of destination countries alone.

The diplomatic disagreement may therefore continue as African governments attempt to balance the protection of foreign nationals with the need to address the underlying conditions driving migration across the continent.