news > XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE AGAINST MIGRANT IN SOUTH AFRICA

XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE AGAINST MIGRANT IN SOUTH AFRICA

2019/09/05 01:43:26 PM

MEDIA STATEMENT

TUESDAY, 03 SEPTEMBER 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AOMA CONDEMNS XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE AGAINST MIGRANT AFRICAN-OWNED BUSINESSES IN SOUTH AFRICA

The African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA) expresses concern over the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa where widespread looting and torching of foreign-owned African shops have been reported in Johannesburg. The violence follows similar unrest reported in the capital, Pretoria, a few days earlier.

AOMA notes that the threats, attacks and killings targeted against foreign African nationals who run businesses in South Africa is an affront to peace and security on the continent and our collective aspiration for integration, engendered in Agenda 2063, and particularly the ideals of Pan-Africanism rooted in our common drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity.

The Association underscores the need for African states to address the root cause of such conflicts, including issues of immigration governance and economic challenges of unemployment and poverty. We note that the attacks are, unfortunately, not an isolated incident, and it is high time that a sustainable solution is found. Xenophobia has no place in South Africa, a nation that espouses Ubuntu and a member of the African Union, sharing along with other nations of the continent in the AU normative framework, particularly the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights that upholds the sanctity of life, human dignity, equality and non-discrimination.

The efforts in halting these criminal attacks and bringing perpetrators to justice must be swift and categorical that, as Africans, we stand in solidarity with victims of these unfortunate incidents and are unwavering in the pursuit of non-violent means of conflict resolution. AOMA urges restraint, non-retaliation and use of diplomatic channels by African governments in finding a workable solution for all citizens of Africa affected by the violence.

END

Issued by the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association

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Déclaration de l'AOMA - Violence xénophobe en Afrique du Sud

AOMA Statement - Xenophobic Violence in South Africa