Africa Union Comes Under Attack as Xenophobic Violence Crushes Migrants in South Africa

For the past four months, nationals of other African countries resident in South Africa have been experiencing wave of violence in South Africa. From Pretoria to Johannesburg, from Cape Town to Durban, from Soweto to other cities, foreign nationals in the country have been subjected to all forms of inhuman treatment.

From looting shops to beating, from arrests to forceful shop closures, from force sack from employment to force eviction from places of residence to compulsory deportation to their home countries. African nationals resident in the country have passed through very dehumanising conditions in the hands of South Africa nationals.

The current wave of violence has been for the past four months, beginning from March 2026. The 2026 violence began in mid-March with protests in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban. The protest intensified in April and May with attacks on foreign nationals, looting migrant owned shops and illegal checks of people's migrant status in the country.

In June, the protests had grown beyond control. This was when March and March convener, Jacinta Ngobese Zuma, and coordinators of Operation Dudula, began combing major cities and forcing migrants out of the country. A brief silence came when the groups gave June 30 as deadline for all foreign nationals to depart from the country. Thousands from Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and others were forcefully repatriated from the country.

The protests initially targeted undocumented foreigners, but as the demonstrations progressed, it moved from undocumented to all foreigners whether with documents or not. This was when it became unacceptable to governments and citizens of other countries and even the international community. Shops were looted, employers were forced to layoff both skilled and unskilled workers, landlords compelled to forcefully evict foreign tenants with foreigners abandoning their businesses, vehicles, landed and movable properties. It was a painful and devastating experience.

Photos and videos displayed on social media show pathetic situations many migrants were made to face while processing their repatriation from South Africa. Many spent days and nights in hunger in front of their country's embassies and consulates, waiting for buses and planes from their home countries to fly them back home. Many shared gory tales of bitter life experiences in South Africa.

At this period, one expected the Africa Union to make statement regarding the situation in the country. The AU, a continental organization made up of 55 countries was established in 2002, replacing the defunct Organization of African Unity (OAU). The objective is to promote unity, development, peace and cooperation across Africa.

Some of its functions is to promote peace and security in the continent, to prevent and resolve conflicts between and among countries, encourage economic integration, promote trade among African countries through initiatives like African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It also helps in promoting democracy and good governance, encourages free and fair elections across Africa.

Headquartered in Adis-Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, the African Union is also expected to promote human rights through its human rights institutions. It is also empowered to promote justice and the rule of law among member countries, among other development efforts geared toward the good of the continent of Africa.

As the violence began in South Africa, one had expected the continental body to make a statement of either commendation or condemnation. But very unfortunately, the body has failed to react to the ugly development in South Africa. One is forced to ask whether the Union is still existing or whether it has gone into moribund.

Investigation shows that there are two leadership positions in the Africa Union. As of 2026, President Evariste Ndayishiniye of Burundi is the chairman of the AU while Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti is the chairman of the Africa Union Commission, that is the chief executive of the AU. He assumed office in March 2025. He is the administrative officer of the Union.

So far, this body has disappointed the entire Africa continent over its undue silence following the xenophobic violence in South Africa. South Africa is a member of the African Union. If it's a signatory to the Constitution of the Union, then it is expected to adhere to the decision of the body. But for now, South Africa cannot be blamed because the Union is not seen to be wielding the needed big stick in the affairs of the African continent.

Although there are reports that the AU's institutions, particularly the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, have made statements condemning the violence against migrants in the country, the action seems to be insufficient to compel South Africa to backtrack on its move against foreign nationals.

As it is now, the body has failed both the continent and the foreign nationals who were repatriated from South Africa. While South Africa is a sovereign nation which has right to take its own decisions for the good of its people, it is incumbent to formulate and implement policies for the unity and cooperation of the African continent.