25/05/2026
African Leaders Seek Justice, Accountability Over Attacks on Migrants in South Africa
The African Dominican Promoters for Justice and Peace, in collaboration with the Centre for Counselling of Deportees and Refugees (CCDR), Africa Faith Justice Network (AFJN-Nigeria), and the National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL), Lagos Archdiocese, on Sunday, May 24, 2026, convened an online panel discussion on the growing xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The webinar, themed *“Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa: Urgent Call for Regional Intervention and Accountability,”* brought together religious leaders, diplomats, legal practitioners, and human rights advocates to discuss the rising violence against African migrants and the need for urgent continental action. The discussion followed renewed anti-migrant violence recorded across parts of South Africa in recent weeks.
The session opened with prayers led by Dominican General Promoter for Justice and Peace and Permanent Delegate to the United Nations, Rev. Fr. Aniedi Okure, OP. Other speakers included Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese; Part-time Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission, Mr. Aseza Arthur Gungunbele; Dr. H. Makusha of the Catholic Archdiocese of Durban; and representatives of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM). Fr. Aniedi urged Africans to look beyond the term “xenophobia” and confront the deeper political and social divisions fueling hatred across the continent. Dr. Makusha, while expressing concern over the silence of the South African government, noted that the Church must continue to speak from the standpoint of humanity and justice rather than politics.
Representing the Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Commission’s Director of Media and Public Relations, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, reiterated Nigeria’s opposition to attacks on Nigerians abroad. He disclosed that over 116 Nigerians had reportedly lost their lives in xenophobic-related incidents without any successful prosecution. In his remarks, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah drew parallels between the South African crisis and politically motivated violence often witnessed in Nigeria during election periods. He stressed the need for stronger catechesis, civic engagement, and diplomatic initiatives across Africa, insisting that the South African government must do more to ensure justice and accountability.
Also speaking, Mr. Aseza Arthur Gungunbele maintained that the attacks should not define all South Africans, insisting that only a fraction of citizens were responsible for the violence. Bishop Hilary Dachila of the Bauchi Diocese described the attacks as unfortunate, noting that Africa should be concentrating on development and unity rather than violence against fellow Africans. Participants at the webinar collectively called for urgent intervention by the appropriate government agencies.
The event ended with practical suggestions on promoting peace-building initiatives, and encouraging the Church and civil society groups to take more active roles in confronting xenophobia and division across Africa.
