Accra, Ghana – Political activist Solomon Owusu and lawyer Andrew Appiah-Danquah have formally petitioned the African Union (AU) to remove Wamkele Keabetswe Mene, the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. The petition, submitted on May 31, 2026, argues that Mr. Mene’s continued tenure is incompatible with the AfCFTA’s objectives and values due to South Africa’s persistent xenophobic attacks against fellow Africans.
Context: The AfCFTA’s Vision and Values
The AfCFTA is described by its proponents as Africa’s most significant economic and political integration initiative since the Organization of African Unity’s inception in 1963. Its core aims include boosting intra-African trade, facilitating the movement of goods, services, and people, and fostering deeper continental cooperation. The Secretary-General is viewed not just as an administrator but as a key symbol of African integration and a prominent ambassador for the Pan-African project.
The Petition’s Core Argument
The Ghanaian petitioners contend that the ongoing xenophobic violence in South Africa fundamentally undermines the AfCFTA’s mission. They argue that the presence of a South African national as Secretary-General sends a conflicting message to the continent. This is particularly poignant given the historical solidarity shown by African nations towards South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle.
The petition emphasizes that the AfCFTA’s success hinges on trust and the belief that Africans can move, trade, invest, work, and live across the continent without fear of discrimination. The persistent xenophobic reality in South Africa, they argue, directly contradicts this foundational principle.
South Africa’s Xenophobia Crisis
The petitioners highlight over two decades of recurring xenophobic violence in South Africa, which has resulted in assaults, property destruction, looting, displacement, and loss of life for citizens from various African nations, including Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia. These incidents have fostered a perception that fellow Africans are unwelcome and scapegoated for socio-economic challenges within South Africa.
A central point of the petition is South Africa’s alleged failure to decisively address this issue. Despite repeated outbreaks, condemnations, and commitments from various administrations, the problem persists, creating a
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