Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagba, has criticised the African Union over what he describes as a lack of action on rising tensions in South Africa, questioning the continental body’s role in protecting Africans. “The African Union must stand for something. If they can’t promote cohesion and free movement of people, then I don’t see why we have it,” he said on TV3’s Keypoints.
Ahiagba called for stronger engagement with South African authorities, stating, “The government of South Africa must take responsibility. This is completely unacceptable”. He also urged African countries to be more vocal, adding, “We must name and shame South Africa for some of these things. It is embarrassing.” According to him, the situation undermines the idea of Africans as global citizens with rights across the continent.
The criticism highlights a long-standing frustration among some African nations regarding the AU’s perceived inability to enforce its own principles, including the promotion of human rights and the protection of African citizens across member states. While the AU has condemned xenophobic violence in the past, critics argue that such statements lack follow-through and do little to prevent recurring attacks on foreign nationals, particularly in South Africa. The comments come amid ongoing debates about whether the AU should have stronger enforcement mechanisms to protect the rights of Africans outside their home countries.
