Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Imo State Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Franklin-Kennedy Ibeh, has condemned the latest wave of xenophobic attacks against African migrants in South Africa, accusing the government of President Cyril Ramaphosa of failing to address the crisis.
In a statement issued in Owerri on Wednesday, Ibeh described the attacks as shameful and blamed South Africa’s leadership for what he called a growing atmosphere of hostility toward fellow Africans living and working in the country.
“As the Imo state Youth leader and president of Duruiheoma Group, I condemn the on going xenophobic attacks against Africans living in South Africa,” he said.
Ibeh argued that the violence was rooted in governance failures rather than the presence of foreign nationals, insisting that citizens should hold political leaders accountable for economic and social challenges instead of targeting migrants.
“The truth is that the unfortunate situation In South Africa is traceable to leadership failure. Their leaders have failed them and instead of them to channel their anger to the appropriate quarters they have chosen for execution innocent non South Africans who are in the country doing legitimate businesses and growing the economy,” he stated.
The APC youth leader also invoked the legacy of anti-apartheid figures, saying former South African leaders would be disappointed by the treatment being meted out to Africans from other countries.
“Late South African leaders like Oliver Tambo, Albert Luthuli, Nelson Mandela and Mama Winnie Mandela must be turning over angrily in their graves because of the ongoing shameful xenophobic attacks in South Africa when dismantling of colonial-era borders ought to be an answered prayer across Africa,” he said.
He called for an immediate end to the attacks and urged African nations to strengthen unity, peace, economic cooperation and political tolerance across the continent.
South Africa has witnessed recurring outbreaks of xenophobic violence over the years, with migrants from other African countries frequently targeted during periods of economic and social strain.
The incidents have repeatedly drawn criticism from governments, civil society organisations and regional bodies advocating greater protection for foreign nationals.
