Foreign Affairs Ministry condemns xenophobic attacks

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has condemned the recent xenophobic attacks on some African nationals, particularly Nigerians and Zimbabweans, in South Africa.

The ministry has, therefore, called on the South African authorities to take all necessary actions to tackle the problem.

Attack unfortunate

A statement, issued by the ministry last Tuesday said “the Government of the Republic of Ghana views the xenophobic attacks in South Africa on African nationals and the looting of foreign and local shops as unfortunate”.

It urged the South African authorities to deal firmly with all the criminal elements associated with the attacks and the looting of shops and put in place measures to guarantee the safety and security of all African nationals and Ghanaians resident in South Africa.

The ministry also said it had set up dedicated emergency lines for Ghanaians in distress in South Africa to seek for urgent assistance.

No Ghanaian casualty

The statement indicated that since the renewed attacks on African nationals started on Thursday, August 29, 2019, Ghana’s High Commission had acted independently and jointly with the African Diplomatic Corps in insisting on the prevention of the recurrence of unwarranted attacks on African nationals and the looting of their properties.

It said the Ghana High Commission had also advised Ghanaians, through their various associations in South Africa, to avoid areas prone to violence.

“The government of Ghana wishes to assure the Ghanaian public that there are no confirmed Ghanaian casualties at the moment. Our High Commission in Pretoria is monitoring the situation closely and any new developments will be communicated accordingly,” it stated.

South Africa’s President responds

Migrant Africans have come under a barrage of attacks from the local people, mostly the youth, accusing their fellow Africans of taking over jobs from the locals.

South African President, Mr Cyril Rhamaphosa, has also condemned the violence.

In a statement posted on his Twitter handle, he said the attacks, which had been spreading around a number of the country's provinces, needed to be condemned in the strongest terms.

"I'm convening the ministers in the security cluster today to make sure that we keep a close eye on these acts of wanton violence and find ways of stopping them," Mr Rhamaphosa said.