Accra, Ghana – May 30, 2024 – Samuel Abu Jinapor, Member of Parliament for Damongo and Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a stern warning against inflammatory rhetoric and retaliatory actions targeting South Africans in Ghana and across the continent. His remarks on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday come as Ghana continues efforts to evacuate its citizens from South Africa amidst a recent surge in xenophobic attacks.
Context of Recurring Violence
The latest wave of violence against foreign nationals in South Africa has reignited long-standing concerns about the safety of African migrants. These recurring incidents, often attributed to a complex mix of socio-economic pressures and political factors, have led to significant diplomatic strain and widespread condemnation across Africa.
Ghana has been actively involved in repatriating its citizens. Approximately 300 Ghanaians have already returned, with authorities anticipating further arrivals in the coming days. This evacuation effort highlights the severe impact of the xenophobic tensions on individuals and families.
Call for Measured Response
Mr. Jinapor acknowledged the justifiable anger and frustration felt across Africa due to the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa. However, he stressed the critical need for African countries to avoid responses that could escalate into a cycle of repris. “We also should be careful in the narrative and the discourse not to instigate a certain reaction which is very possible where South Africans, for example, are indiscriminately targeted here in Ghana and other parts of Africa,” he stated.
He warned that such retaliatory actions against innocent South Africans residing or conducting business elsewhere on the continent would only worsen the already dire situation and hinder efforts to find sustainable solutions. “That would just worsen the situation,” he added.
Condemnation and Calls for Accountability
While advocating for restraint, Mr. Jinapor unequivocally condemned the attacks and urged South African authorities to take decisive action. “I think whilst we continue to condemn the situation in South Africa and also call on the South African authorities to rise up to the occasion and crack down on this very unfortunate conduct by certain citizens of South Africa,” he urged.
The lawmaker emphasized that South African authorities must demonstrate a stronger commitment to protecting foreign nationals and ensure that perpetrators of xenophobic violence are held accountable. This includes holding government officials accountable for what some perceive as a lack of decisive action or even “constructive complicity.”
Continental Intervention Proposed
Mr. Jinapor suggested that the recurring nature of these attacks might necessitate intervention at the African Union (AU) level. He proposed exploring mechanisms within the AU to address the issue, potentially including sanctions against South Africa. “Perhaps escalate it to the level of the African Union in terms of instituting sanctions against South Africa as a country and putting measures to deal with this situation,” he proposed.
Beyond Economic Hardship
Challenging the notion that xenophobic violence is solely attributable to unemployment and economic hardship, Mr. Jinapor argued that the problem is rooted in deeper political and social challenges within South Africa. “The body politic in South Africa itself is problematic and the matter cannot be reduced to unemployment,” he observed.
Historical Precedents and African Unity
Mr. Jinapor’s comments come against a backdrop of past incidents that have frequently sparked calls for boycotts of South African businesses and retaliatory measures against South African nationals abroad. These reactions, while understandable, risk undermining the principles of African unity and solidarity crucial for regional integration efforts.
Looking Ahead
The ongoing diplomatic efforts and calls for restraint underscore the complex challenges in addressing xenophobia within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the broader African continent. The effectiveness of proposed AU interventions and the commitment of South African leadership to tackling the root causes of this violence will be critical in determining the future safety of African migrants and the stability of intra-African relations.
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