SA Xenophobic attacks: AU’s silence disappointing – Ablakwa

The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has expressed disappointment in the African Union’s silence over the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

This comes on the heels of recent attacks by locals in that country on foreigners of African descent who they claim are taking over their jobs.

Speaking to Class News, Mr Ablakwa, who had earlier called on the AU to intervene, criticised the Union for not intervening in the recurring violence.

“I want to renew my call on the African Union to take a strong stand. So far I’m disappointed at the AU’s silence on this matter. This is the third time this is happening in nine years. We saw this occur in 2008, where at least 60 people were killed. We saw it happen again in 2015 and confirmed reports of the death toll was nine but people continued to contend that many more were killed and may have gone unreported and now we are having this incident which so far has claimed the lives of 14 Somalis, at least that is confirmed according to the association of Somalis living in South Africa,” he stated.

“So there is the need for the African Union to now step in and to demand the South African authorities protect these [victims]. All of us protect foreign nationals living within our jurisdiction and we protect our nationals as well, so it is only fair to expect the South Africans to also carry out their first share in protecting all foreign nationals living in that country.”

Meanwhile, no Ghanaian has been hurt in the attacks but 18 have so far been rescued, according to Ghana’s mission there.

Five were first rescued followed by another 13. They have all been taken to Lynnwood, which is safer.