President John Dramani Mahama has called on the African Union (AU) to take urgent steps to address recurring xenophobic attacks targeting African nationals in South Africa, describing the situation as a setback to efforts to promote African unity and solidarity.

The President made the call during a meeting with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssou, at the Jubilee House in Accra on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

President Mahama said the attacks had reached a level that required a coordinated continental response, citing the financial and humanitarian cost Ghana has incurred in evacuating affected citizens from South Africa. “At a very high cost to us, we had to charter planes to go to South Africa to evacuate our citizens,” President Mahama said.

He disclosed that Ghana had already operated three charter flights to bring citizens home and was preparing additional flights, with about 900 people still registered for evacuation.

The President said Ghana had also provided reintegration support, including allowances and assistance to affected returnees, stressing that the issue required attention at the highest continental level. “I think that the AU should take an interest in this issue because it has the potential to wreck everything that we have worked for in terms of African integration and solidarity,” he stated.

President Mahama described the impact of the attacks on affected countries as traumatic and expressed concern over what he considered an inadequate response from South African authorities.

He said Ghana had lost two citizens in the attacks and questioned why individuals allegedly promoting violence had not faced stronger actio“The persons who are fanning these attacks are known, and they have been left free to do what they want to do. They are doing it with impunity,” he said.

The President also revealed that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had sent a delegation to Ghana on July 21 to discuss the matter.

He explained that Ghana’s decision to raise concerns was not aimed at damaging relations with South Africa but intended to encourage dialogue, transparency and accountability. “Ghana does not harbour any malice against South Africa, but we are raising it so it gives them the platform to explain what they are doing to the world,” President Mahama said.

President Mahama said the issue is expected to be tabled for discussion at the next AU meeting as Ghana pushes for a collective approach to protecting African citizens and strengthening continental integration.