Former Ghanaian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Dr. Tony Aidoo, has called on governments across Africa to take urgent responsibility for protecting their citizens abroad in the wake of renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Speaking on Adekyee Mu Nsem, the morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM hosted by Kofi Owusu, Dr. Aidoo stressed that every government has a duty to safeguard the welfare and security of its nationals, regardless of where they reside.
“It is the responsibility of the government to rescue its citizens from countries where they are facing any form of abuse,” he stated, referring to the recent attacks targeting foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, in South Africa.
Dr. Aidoo drew historical parallels to underscore the recurring nature of xenophobic tensions across the continent. He recalled Ghana’s expulsion of Nigerians and other African nationals in 1969, as well as Nigeria’s 1983 expulsion of thousands of Ghanaians, noting that both incidents reflected a troubling pattern of intolerance among African nations.
According to him, such developments highlight the persistent challenge of African disunity.
“Africans do not have love for themselves,” he said. “It was fellow Africans who participated in the sale of their own people during the slave trade. Even in Rwanda, it was Africans killing fellow Africans.”
The former ambassador further criticized the African Union, describing the ongoing attacks in South Africa as “a slap in the face” of the continental body and a reflection of its inability to effectively address issues affecting Africans across the continent.
Dr. Aidoo also expressed disappointment in the South African government’s response to the situation, arguing that stronger measures should have been taken to curb the attacks and reassure affected communities.
“The South African government should be ashamed of itself. Up till now, they have done nothing or said nothing to correct the situation,” he asserted.
His remarks come amid growing concerns about the safety of African migrants living in South Africa and increasing calls for stronger regional cooperation to combat xenophobia, promote social cohesion, and protect the rights of all Africans living and working across the continent.
By Andy Koranteng
