South Africa successfully blocked Ghana’s attempt to place xenophobic violence in the country on the African Union’s October Mid-Year Coordination Meeting agenda, instead persuading member states to pursue a broader discussion on migration across the continent. Ghana had sought stronger AU scrutiny following recent anti-immigrant violence in South Africa, which prompted the evacuation of hundreds of its citizens. However, South Africa argued that migration should be examined alongside the political and economic conditions driving cross-border movement, while acknowledging that xenophobic attacks are unacceptable and pledging continued investigations. Pretoria’s success in reframing the conversation grants it diplomatic breathing room, ensuring it avoids immediate continental censure. Meanwhile, Ghana and affected migrant communities lose momentum for targeted accountability.
Daily Maverick