The diplomatic pressure is rising.
Ghana has reportedly turned down a planned state visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as outrage grows over recent xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa.
The reported move marks another sign that the violence is no longer just a domestic issue. It is now straining relations across the continent.
Ghanaian officials are demanding tougher action from Pretoria to protect foreign nationals and hold everyone behind the attacks fully accountable.
President Ramaphosa has condemned the violence and promised a firm crackdown on groups accused of inciting attacks against migrants.
He also made it clear that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the government and law enforcement agencies, not vigilante groups taking matters into their own hands.
The fallout is spreading beyond Ghana.
Countries including Uganda, Nigeria, Malawi and Mozambique have also raised concerns over the safety of their citizens, with some already repatriating nationals affected by the unrest.
The growing diplomatic tension is placing South Africa under increasing pressure to restore confidence and reassure African nations that migrants living within its borders will be protected.
As the xenophobia crisis continues to unfold, leaders across Africa will be watching closely to see whether Pretoria’s response can calm tensions before the diplomatic rift widens even further.
