Africa-Press – Lesotho. The African Parliament has called for urgent action to address the rising violence against foreigners in South Africa during a meeting held in Johannesburg, expressing its concern and anger over attacks targeting migrants, which have resulted in fatalities and the displacement of tens of thousands, according to data from local authorities.
Members of the Parliament, which is an institution of the African Union, discussed the implications of the wave of violence against African migrants during their sessions this week, amid warnings about its impact on the unity of the continent and relations between its countries.
During the discussions, the representative from Zimbabwe in the African Parliament, Habimor Chidziva, urged the legislative body to take a firm stance against the growing xenophobia in South Africa, emphasizing that the threat facing the continent is not limited to armed conflicts but also includes hate speech, intolerance, and division.
Chidziva stated, “The security of our continent is threatened not only by bullets and bombs but also by hatred, intolerance, and division. Let us not ignore the alarming return of anti-foreigner attacks in some areas of South Africa,” calling for the Parliament to take a courageous stance by implementing practical steps instead of merely issuing statements.
Additionally, the head of the West African group in Parliament, Ivorian Deputy Yao Yao Lazar, proposed a draft initiative aimed at combating xenophobia, noting that incitement campaigns against migrants have led to unprecedented levels of insecurity for African citizens residing in South Africa.
The proposal includes calls for strict penalties against perpetrators of anti-African violence, as well as an independent investigation led by the African Union within South Africa to clarify the circumstances of the events.
Lazar affirmed that “these events do not only represent an assault on individuals but also constitute an attack on the foundations of African unity and solidarity among the peoples of the continent.” The proposal received support from several members of Parliament, including the representative from Kenya who announced his backing, reflecting the growing anger within African circles regarding the ongoing violence against migrants.
South Africa, which has been a primary destination for labor from various parts of the continent for years, is experiencing a wave of protests and violence targeting migrants, amid accusations that they are monopolizing job opportunities and resources within the country.
According to circulating data, more than 160,000 foreigners have left South Africa in the past two months, a development that has increased tensions in Pretoria’s relations with several African governments, amid calls for decisive action to stop the assaults and protect migrants.
