The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has agreed on the need to address growing concerns over rising xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa at the next AU summit.

His commitment came after bilateral talks with President John Dramani Mahama, who reiterated his request on the sidelines of the AU Extraordinary Summit on Universal Health Coverage and ending AIDS, held in Accra.

President Mahama disclosed that the South African President, on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, dispatched a special envoy led by his Foreign Minister to meet with him in Accra over the crisis.

He told the AU Commission Chair that he made Ghana’s position clear to the envoy: that Ghana harbours no ill will toward South Africa but remains deeply concerned about the attacks and the resulting capital losses suffered by foreign nationals forced to abandon their investments and return home. He noted that this development undermines Africa’s solidarity and ongoing efforts toward continental integration.

President Mahama emphasised that “sweeping the matter under the carpet” would not resolve its root causes, hence the need to place it on the agenda for discussion at the summit.

He added that tabling the issue would also give South Africa a formal, constructive platform to present its perspective and work toward a lasting solution.

“This will offer South Africa the opportunity to explain itself, and possibly we can all find a lasting solution to this crisis,” he emphasised.

The AU Commission Chairperson acknowledged that the attacks have affected nationals from several African countries. He revealed that during a recent visit to South Africa, he raised the matter directly with the South African President.

While commending the South African government’s public condemnation of the violence, he expressed concern over the apparent impunity enjoyed by perpetrators.

The escalation of xenophobic violence recently compelled the Ghanaian government to airlift several citizens home on three separate chartered flights, with plans underway for further evacuations.

In response to the crisis, Ghana has officially written to the AU Commission requesting that the matter be formally placed on the agenda for the next summit.

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