Nigeria, Ghana Move To Tackle Afrophobic Protests Across Africa

Nigeria and Ghana have agreed to work together against Afrophobic protests and attacks targeting African nationals in South Africa, with both countries planning to push the issue onto the agenda of the next African Union summit.

The agreement followed a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, and Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on the sidelines of the ECOWAS Mid-Year Summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The two ministers said attacks on African migrants weaken African unity, free movement and regional integration. They also called for coordinated action to protect migrants while ensuring that anyone accused of crime is handled through the law, not mob attacks.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ministers condemned xenophobia, Afrophobia, intolerance and violence against fellow Africans. They said such attacks run against the goals of Pan-African cooperation and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Enikanolaiye also called for stronger consultation between Nigeria and Ghana so that early tensions can be addressed before they grow into wider crises.

The talks came after recent protests and threats against foreign nationals in South Africa. Both countries said they would keep engaging at regional and continental levels to promote peaceful coexistence among African communities.

Sources: Vanguard, Channels TV