The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has issued a stern warning to the government of South Africa over the growing wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals, particularly Africans, within its borders.
The party condemned what it described as a disturbing trend of violence, looting, and abuse directed at black foreign-owned businesses and individuals.
According to a statement signed by the party’s National Communications Director, Osei Kofi Acquah, the attacks widely circulated through videos and eyewitness accounts have led to assaults, public humiliation, and, in some cases, rape and murder.
He said the situation raises serious concerns about law enforcement and governance in South Africa.
“Has South Africa become such a lawless state that there is no respect for the lives of other African nationals?” he questioned.
Acquah further criticized perpetrators of the attacks, describing their actions as ignorant and misguided.
He noted that many of the affected individuals legally entered South Africa through visas issued by its diplomatic missions, contributing economically through application fees and business activities.
He also raised concerns about the broader implications of the violence, warning that retaliatory sentiments could emerge across the continent if urgent steps are not taken.
“Do these attackers realize that South Africans are also living as immigrants in other African countries?” he asked, cautioning against a cycle of reprisals.
Calling for decisive intervention, Acquah urged South African authorities to act swiftly to restore order and bring perpetrators to justice.
He also appealed to the African Union (AU) to take a firm stance, questioning its silence on what he described as “crimes against humanity.”
The CPP warned that failure by the AU to address the situation could undermine the very idea of African unity, adding that the continental body risks losing relevance if it cannot protect Africans on African soil.
Invoking the legacy of Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President and a leading advocate of Pan-Africanism, the party reminded the government of Ghana of its duty to safeguard its citizens abroad.
Acquah quoted Nkrumah’s assertion that while Ghanaians may be slow to anger, they are resolute when provoked.
He cautioned that the South African government must ensure the protection of Ghanaian lives and businesses within its territory, just as South Africans enjoy safety and economic freedom in Ghana.
He also called on other African nations whose citizens have been affected to take a united stand against the attacks, emphasizing that collective action remains essential to preserving the ideals of Pan-Africanism.
“Individually, African countries may be weak, but together we are stronger,” he noted, urging renewed commitment to unity across the continent.
By 1960news.com