The government has stepped up diplomatic efforts following the killing of a Ghanaian national during xenophobic attacks in South Africa(SA), urging the African Union (AU) to urgently act on Ghana’s long-standing petition against the recurring violence.
In a statement issued on July 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it expects the African Union Commission to address Ghana’s petition on xenophobic attacks “with the urgency it demands” at its next statutory meeting.
The renewed appeal comes after 40-year-old Bashiru Isak was fatally shot in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on June 30 during anti-immigrant protests linked to ongoing xenophobic attacks.
The Ministry said it received the news “with profound shock and sadness” and condemned “in the strongest terms, this senseless act of violence and the rising tide of xenophobia targeting African nationals, including Ghanaians, in South Africa.”
It stressed that “the taking of any life is unacceptable and those responsible must be brought to justice without delay.”
According to the Ministry, Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria, acting on government instructions, formally lodged a protest with South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
It also filed a complaint with the South African Police Service after confirming Mr Isak’s identity and notifying his family.
The Ministry further disclosed that an autopsy had already been conducted at the request of the Government of Ghana.
Government is now calling for “a full, transparent and expedited investigation leading to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.”
It also renewed its appeal to South African authorities to strengthen security for Ghanaians living in communities affected by the attacks.
The statement said Ghana’s High Commission reminded the South African government that, “in line with its international obligations,” it is expected to guarantee “the safety, dignity and rights of all foreign nationals on its territory, including Ghanaians”.
The Ministry also recalled that Ghana had previously petitioned the African Union Commission over repeated xenophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa.
“It would be recalled that Ghana has already transmitted a petition to the African Union Commission (AUC). Our formal petition on xenophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa remains active and we expect the AU to treat the matter with the urgency it demands at its next statutory meeting,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, arrangements are underway to repatriate Mr Isak’s body to Ghana for burial.
The Ministry also urged Ghanaians who remained in South Africa after declining an earlier government repatriation exercise to stay alert, avoid high-risk areas, and contact Ghana’s High Commission if they face any danger.
It assured citizens that Ghana “will continue to pursue all diplomatic, consular, and multilateral avenues to protect the lives and welfare of its citizens abroad and to ensure that such attacks are not repeated”.
