By Melvin Tejan Mansaray, Abuja Nigeria
Members of the ECOWAS Parliament have resolved that:
“The South African Government pursue the perpetrators of xenophobic violence against West Africans.”
This resolution was accepted by the House with comments and debates at the closing session of the First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament for the year 2026, held on Friday 15th May, 2026 at the International Conference Center, Area 10 Abuja Nigeria.
The Joint Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and APRM/ Legal Affairs and Human Rights/Social Affairs, Gender, Women Empowerment and Persons with Disabilities/ Trade, Customs and Free Movement resolution on the xenophobic attacks in South Africa against West African Nationals, stated that it is “deeply concerned by the resurgence of xenophibic attacks in South Africa, particularly those reported in April and May, 2026 against West African Nationals, resulting in the loss of lives, destruction of properties and displacement of communities.”
The report considered the historic solidarity of African Nations, including West African States with South Africa during its struggle against apartheid, adding that such acts of violence undermine African Unity, regional cooperation, and the Pan-African Spirit.
It is against this backdrop, that the Committee resolved among other things that:
” Strongly condemns the xenophibic attacks in South Africa against West African citizens and other African Nationals, describing them as dehumanizing and unacceptable.
Express full solidarity with the victims and their families and calls for immediate humanitarian assistance.
Urges all ECOWAS Member States to convene South African Ambassadors to lodge a formal protest.
Calls on the South African Government to pursue the perpetrators of xenophobic violence and to guarantee the security and rights of all African migrants in its territory.”
In response, Hon. Senou Soklingbe called for softer diplomatic language replacing words like “pursue” with “take appropriate actions” and ” migrants” to “nationals”.
Hon. Peter Aneikwe submitted that the framing and diction used in the report is okay adding that the attacks are not new and the government of South Africa has not taken any solid action.
Hon. Taa Z. Wongbe urged for follow-up mechanisms and the mentioning of the contribution of foreign nationals to the economy of South Africa and the fight against apartheid.
Hon. Amadu Kamara clarified that the African Union does not have a Constitution but a Constitutive Act, and with a grammatical correction.
Hon. Konneh Sidikie urged for the amplifying of the role Africans played in the liberation struggles of South Africa.
Hon. Abdulai Keitta raised a concern about the cautious use of language register in the framing and priming of the issue, while Hon. Abdul Kargbo underscored the call for the inclusion of compensation and justice for victims of the attacks.
He also noted the need for the AU to activate its early warning systems.
In conclusion, Madam Speaker, Hon. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima ruled that the issue will be sufficiently looked into in regards to the formation of a Committee to probe further into the matter by way of followup since the ECOWAS Parliament Secretary, Dr. Dédou Hemou is just taking up office.
The Assembly nonetheless adopted the report with few corrections and additions.