The Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, Franklin-Kennedy Ibeh, has strongly condemned the ongoing xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals of African descent in South Africa, describing the situation as a betrayal of the ideals of African unity and solidarity.
In a statement issued in Owerri on Wednesday, Ibeh criticised the administration of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ruling African National Congress (ANC), accusing them of failing to take decisive action to end the attacks on fellow Africans living and working in the country.
The APC youth leader expressed disappointment over what he described as the continued persecution of Africans by South African citizens, despite the support many African nations provided during South Africa’s struggle against apartheid.
According to him, revered South African leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Chief Albert Luthuli and Winnie Mandela would be deeply saddened by the current situation if they were alive today.
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“As the Imo State Youth Leader and President of Duruiheoma Group, I condemn the ongoing xenophobic attacks against Africans living in South Africa,” Ibeh stated.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa-led government and the ANC are failures. Late South African leaders like Oliver Tambo, 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 argued that the violence was a symptom of leadership failure and worsening socio-economic conditions in South Africa, rather than the fault of migrants and foreign nationals.
“The worst are South African citizens who should be going after supposed leaders who failed them rather than foreigners,” he said.
“The truth is that the unfortunate situation in South Africa is traceable to leadership failure. Their leaders have failed them and instead of them channeling their anger to the appropriate quarters, they have chosen to attack innocent non-South Africans who are in the country doing legitimate businesses and contributing to the economy.”
Ibeh called for an immediate end to the attacks and urged governments, regional bodies and citizens across Africa to work together in promoting peace, economic cooperation, political tolerance and security on the continent.
He stressed that Africans should unite in addressing common challenges rather than targeting one another.
South Africa has experienced recurring outbreaks of xenophobic violence over the years, with migrants from countries including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Somalia and Ethiopia often becoming targets during periods of economic hardship and social tension.
The attacks have consistently drawn condemnation from African governments, human rights organisations and regional bodies, who have urged South African authorities to strengthen measures aimed at protecting foreign nationals and preserving the spirit of African brotherhood.