We expect urgent action - Ghana presses AU over xenophobic attacks after citizen killed in South Africa

Ghana intensified diplomatic pressure over the killing of a Ghanaian national during xenophobic attacks in South Africa, insisting the African Union must urgently act on a long-standing petition against the violence. In a statement issued on July 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was expecting the African Union Commission to treat Ghana's petition on xenophobic attacks "with the urgency it demands" at its next statutory meeting. This renewed call followed the fatal shooting of 40-year-old Bashiru Isak in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on June 30 during anti-immigrant demonstrations linked to ongoing xenophobic attacks.

The Ministry 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." Ghana's High Commission in Pretoria formally registered Ghana's protest with South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation and filed a complaint with the South African Police Service after confirming the victim's identity and informing his family. An autopsy had already been conducted at the request of the Government of Ghana. The government is demanding "a full, transparent and expedited investigation leading to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators" and reiterated its call on South African authorities to strengthen protection for Ghanaians living in affected communities.