ECOWAS endorses Ghana’s request to place xenophobic attacks on AU Summit agenda

The ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has endorsed and supported Ghana’s request for the matter of recent xenophobic attacks against Africans in South Africa to be placed on the agenda of the next African Union Summit.

President John Dramani Mahama disclosed this during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in Lungi, Sierra Leone.

“Ghana welcomes the decision of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government to endorse and support Ghana’s request for this matter to be placed on the agenda of the next African Union Summit,” he emphasised.

He said Ghana had raised the matter as one of immediate concern not only to Ghana and Nigeria, but to the entire African continent, following attacks during which some Africans, including Ghanaians and Nigerians, had lost their lives, while many others experienced fear, intimidation and uncertainty.

“Ghana is deeply concerned about the recent xenophobic attacks against our citizens in South Africa, during which some Africans, including Ghanaians and Nigerians, have lost their lives, while many others have experienced fear, intimidation and uncertainty,” the President said.

President Mahama said Africa’s liberation had been achieved through solidarity across the continent’s borders, and cautioned against allowing that legacy to be weakened by intolerance and the actions of a small minority.

“Africa’s liberation was achieved through solidarity across our borders. We must never allow that proud legacy to be weakened by intolerance and the actions of a small minority,” he said.

He made the remarks after addressing the broader ECOWAS Compact for regional integration, describing the xenophobic attacks as a matter requiring urgent continental attention alongside the Community’s wider peace, security and development agenda.

Richard Aniagyei, ISD