President John Dramani Mahama has condemned recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, describing them as a setback to African unity and regional integration efforts.

Speaking at a town hall meeting in London on Sunday, May 31, President Mahama expressed concern over reported attacks targeting Ghanaians and other African nationals in South Africa, which have triggered the evacuation of about 300 Ghanaian citizens.

He said such incidents run contrary to Africa’s long-standing ambition of building a united and cooperative continent.

“We’ve always pushed for African unity, and so it’s sad to see some of the things that are happening on the continent. There’s no way that any African country can achieve the kind of progress that it needs without working with other countries. We cannot achieve it in isolation,” he stated.

The President stressed that Africa’s development depends on collaboration among nations, adding that isolationist tendencies threaten collective progress.

He referenced the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a key instrument designed to deepen economic cooperation by enabling the free movement of goods, services, and people across the continent.

“That is why we passed AfCFTA, so that our people can move freely among themselves,” he added.

Mahama urged African states to recommit to unity and solidarity, arguing that only stronger regional cooperation can deliver sustainable development and shared prosperity.