Tensions have escalated between Ghana and South Africa following an ICC petition filed by two Ghanaian nationals requesting an investigation into violence targeting foreign migrants in South Africa. The petition, submitted to The Hague-based court last week, contends that the attacks may constitute crimes against humanity and alleges systematic failures by South African authorities to prevent and prosecute those responsible for the violence.
South Africa’s foreign ministry rejected the petition as falling outside the ICC’s legal parameters and maintained that domestic judicial mechanisms are adequate to handle such matters. The government characterized the filing as opportunistic while reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law and its constitutional opposition to xenophobia and discrimination. Officials stated that individuals found responsible for violent acts would face accountability through South Africa’s legal system.
The underlying crisis involves escalating anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa, with protesters establishing demands for stricter border controls and mass deportations. The unrest has prompted multiple African nations, including Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and Uganda, to organize repatriation efforts for their citizens. While South African authorities report that over 53,000 foreign nationals have been deported or voluntarily repatriated recently, independent tallies based on figures from migrants’ home countries suggest the number exceeds 160,000 over the past two months.
West African leaders through the Ecowas bloc have condemned the reported attacks, specifically criticizing the treatment of West African citizens. South Africa’s government acknowledged public concerns about migration while condemning violence against migrants, with President Cyril Ramaphosa warning against citizens taking matters into their own hands. The ICC has not yet issued a public statement regarding whether it will review the petition.
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