2 Ghanaians ask ICC to probe xenophobic violence in South Africa

Two Ghanaians petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) on July 15 to open a preliminary investigation into attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa, which they said could constitute crimes against humanity. The petition alleges a "pattern of widespread and systematic attacks" against migrants in South Africa and accuses President Cyril Ramaphosa's government of failing to prevent or punish those crimes, including murder.

The petition was filed by Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a former Ghanaian government spokesperson on governance and security, and Emmanuel Kotin, a counter-terrorism and security analyst. They stated in a press release, "For years, African brothers and sisters have been killed, beaten, and driven from their homes in South Africa." A spokesperson for South Africa's foreign affairs ministry, Chrispin Phiri, told Reuters that the petition was opportunistic, adding, "South Africa has a sophisticated domestic legal framework, and legislation provides comprehensive safeguards and enforcement measures against discrimination of any kind, including intolerance on the grounds of social origin." Several African migrants have been killed, beaten, and had their homes and shops looted, with tens of thousands fleeing the country.