By Francis Ahovi
The recurring wave of xenophobic attacks against African migrants in South Africa is increasingly being viewed as more than a domestic crisis. Security experts and regional observers argue that the violence has evolved into a continental security challenge, demanding a coordinated response from the African Union (AU).
For years, incidents of violence targeting African migrants, traders, students, workers, and business owners have resurfaced across parts of South Africa. What were once considered isolated outbreaks have developed into a persistent pattern of intimidation, discrimination, looting, and destruction, raising concerns about the future of African unity and regional integration.
The attacks strike at the heart of the Pan-African ideals that have long defined the continent’s aspirations. Africa has championed unity, solidarity, and the free movement of people as essential pillars of integration. Yet repeated violence against fellow Africans because of their nationality, language, or country of origin presents a troubling contradiction to those principles.
Beyond the immediate human cost, the violence carries significant political and economic consequences. It has strained diplomatic relations between African states, discouraged investment, weakened regional cooperation, and threatened the broader objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Analysts warn that continued attacks risk fueling resentment among African populations and undermining collective efforts to confront shared challenges, including poverty, unemployment, terrorism, climate change, and insecurity.
While governments have repeatedly condemned the attacks and engaged in diplomatic protests, critics argue that these responses have failed to break the recurring cycle of violence. Emergency evacuations and public statements, they contend, have done little to address the deeper security concerns or prevent future attacks.
Against this backdrop, there are growing calls for the African Union to elevate xenophobic violence to the level of a continental peace and security issue.
One proposal gaining attention is for the AU to convene an emergency summit focused exclusively on xenophobia and the protection of African nationals living across the continent. Such a summit, proponents argue, should produce a binding continental framework recognizing xenophobic violence as a direct threat to African peace, security, and integration.
Another recommendation is the establishment of an African Union Mission for the Protection of African Nationals (AUMPAN) in partnership with the South African government. Rather than functioning as a traditional peacekeeping force, the proposed mission would serve as a cooperative mechanism to strengthen prevention, protection, accountability, and dialogue while fully respecting South Africa’s sovereignty.
The mission could bring together AU security experts, intelligence liaison officers, human rights specialists, conflict prevention practitioners, diplomats, and representatives from regional organizations. Their primary role would be to support South African authorities in preventing xenophobic violence before it occurs while promoting peaceful coexistence among communities.
Security specialists also advocate the creation of a continental early warning and intelligence-sharing system capable of monitoring hate speech, identifying emerging threats, tracking organized violence, and facilitating timely intervention. Preventive action, they argue, is both more effective and less costly than responding after lives have been lost and property destroyed.
Protecting vulnerable African communities remains another key priority. Thousands of migrants contribute to South Africa’s economy through entrepreneurship, commerce, education, healthcare, and professional services. Advocates insist that ensuring their safety is not merely a policy choice but a fundamental human rights obligation requiring stronger community engagement, rapid response mechanisms, and improved protective measures.
Accountability also remains central to the debate. Observers argue that perceptions of impunity have contributed to the persistence of xenophobic violence. They recommend that the AU work alongside South African institutions to support independent investigations, document incidents, monitor prosecutions, and strengthen justice mechanisms to deter future attacks.
At the same time, experts acknowledge that security interventions alone cannot resolve the problem. Deep-rooted socio-economic pressures—including unemployment, poverty, inequality, and competition over scarce resources—continue to fuel anti-immigrant sentiment in some communities. However, they stress that economic hardship can never justify violence, emphasizing the need for governments, civil society organizations, traditional authorities, religious leaders, and the media to promote social cohesion, tolerance, and responsible public discourse.
South Africa occupies a unique place in Africa’s modern history. During the struggle against apartheid, many African nations provided political, diplomatic, and material support to the liberation movement. The country’s democratic transition became a symbol of reconciliation and hope across the continent. That legacy, observers argue, places an even greater responsibility on South Africa to demonstrate leadership in confronting xenophobic violence within its borders.
Supporters of greater AU involvement insist that their proposal is not intended to challenge South Africa’s sovereignty but to strengthen regional cooperation in protecting the rights and dignity of all Africans. They maintain that South Africa’s security is inseparable from Africa’s collective security and that attacks on African nationals within one member state ultimately affect the entire continent.
The African Union has previously mobilized collective responses to conflicts and threats affecting peace and stability across Africa. Advocates believe xenophobic violence deserves similar attention, warning that if Africans cannot live safely within Africa, the vision of continental integration remains at risk.
They argue that the time has come for Africa to move beyond expressions of concern toward preventive action, coordinated security mechanisms, and stronger continental leadership. Treating xenophobic attacks as a shared African security challenge, they say, would represent a significant step toward safeguarding the values of unity, solidarity, and shared destiny that underpin the Pan-African vision.
About the Author
Francis Ahovi is a security expert and Executive Secretary of Global Security for Africa Research and Good Governance (GLOSARGG). The views expressed are those of the author.
