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The Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has called on African leaders to take urgent and decisive steps to address the growing wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa, warning that such attacks pose a serious threat to the continent’s aspirations for unity, integration and solidarity.
Delivering a statement on the floor of Parliament, Mr Dafeamekpor expressed deep concern over what he described as the resurgence of xenophobic attacks targeting fellow Africans living in South Africa. He noted that these incidents continue to create fear and insecurity among many Africans who have moved across borders in search of better opportunities, safety and livelihoods.
According to the South Dayi legislator, Africa cannot genuinely champion the ideals of unity, cooperation and the free movement of people while citizens of African countries remain vulnerable to violence and discrimination in other parts of the continent. He argued that the increasing cases of xenophobia directly contradict the principles of Pan-Africanism, which seek to foster solidarity and closer collaboration among African nations.
Mr Dafeamekpor stressed that the persistence of such attacks threatens to undermine decades of efforts aimed at promoting regional integration and strengthening ties among African states. He therefore urged political leaders across the continent to move beyond declarations and demonstrate a practical commitment to protecting Africans wherever they reside within the continent.
As part of measures to tackle the challenge, he proposed the creation of an early warning and response mechanism under the auspices of the African Union. Such a system, he explained, would help identify emerging signs of xenophobic violence and facilitate timely interventions before situations escalate into broader conflicts.
He further emphasized the need for a collective continental response, arguing that African governments have a shared responsibility to safeguard their citizens and uphold the principles of unity, solidarity and free movement that are central to Africa’s development agenda.
Mr Dafeamekpor cautioned that failure to confront xenophobia decisively could weaken the foundations of Pan-Africanism and reverse the gains made toward building a more united, peaceful and integrated Africa. He therefore called on African leaders to take concrete action to ensure that all Africans can live, work and travel across the continent without fear of discrimination, hostility or violence.
Source:Omanghana.com
