« On en a marre des étrangers. Je n’ai même pas de voiture, mais eux, ils en ont. »
— Un xénophobe sud-africain explique pourquoi ils chassent les étrangers.
It is profoundly heartbreaking to witness another surge of xenophobic violence in #SouthAfrica this week. Hundreds have marched on Parliament, thousands of families have been displaced, and lives have been tragically cut short.
These include at least five Ethiopians killed earlier in the attacks, and five Mozambicans who died in Mossel Bay. Thousands more are now fleeing for their lives.
To see South Africa turn to xenophobia is a tragic betrayal of the country's struggle for independence and freedom. African nations stood united to dismantle apartheid. Ethiopia proudly supported "Madiba," Nelson Mandela, in 1962 and issued him a passport so he could travel the continent. Other countries helped in many ways, including with political and financial support.
Disagreements and grievances must be addressed by the justice system and the rule of law, never through vigilante violence and collective punishment.
South Africa deserves better. Africa deserves better.
Stop the hate. Protect the vulnerable. Uphold our shared humanity.
Minister Lamola: "Having been on both ends of violence & hostility directed at migrants, Ghana has invaluable lessons to impart (Ghana expelled Nigerians & other West Africans under its Aliens Compliance Order, creating a cycle of reciprocal deportations. Nigeria expelled over one million undocumented West African migrants, primarily Ghanaians in 1983). 🇿🇦 is ready to learn from your wealth of experience in this regard, including how Ghana has managed social tensions while protecting, exclusively for Ghanaians, the very sectors in which Ghanaians in South Africa thrive".