South Africa Moves to Mend Strained Ties with Ghana Through Quiet Diplomacy After Ramaphosa Visit Delay
South Africa has stepped up diplomatic efforts to repair its strained relationship with Ghana by dispatching its Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s special envoy to Accra. The move comes after Ghana postponed a series of high-level bilateral engagements, including a planned visit by President Ramaphosa, over growing concerns about recurring xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa.
The diplomatic mission signals Pretoria’s strongest attempt yet to ease tensions between two of Africa’s most influential economies, whose longstanding partnership has recently been tested by violence targeting African migrants and businesses operating in South Africa.
Speaking after bilateral discussions during the African Union Extraordinary Summit in Accra, President John Dramani Mahama disclosed that he had received President Ramaphosa’s special envoy earlier in the week. According to Mahama, the meeting provided an opportunity for Ghana to clearly communicate its concerns regarding the continued attacks on foreign nationals and the destruction of African-owned businesses.
Mahama emphasized that Ghana’s position is not rooted in hostility toward South Africa but in a genuine concern for the safety, dignity, and economic well-being of African citizens living and working across the continent. He stressed that repeated incidents of xenophobic violence have resulted in significant financial losses for many African entrepreneurs and have raised serious questions about regional solidarity.
In a separate statement, Ronald Lamola confirmed that he met President Mahama on behalf of President Ramaphosa to strengthen dialogue between the two nations. He described the discussions as open, constructive, and focused on issues affecting both countries.
Lamola reaffirmed South Africa’s official position against xenophobia, racism, homophobia, and all forms of violence, insisting that such acts do not represent government policy. He reiterated Pretoria’s commitment to the rule of law and emphasized that South Africa remains supportive of safe, regular, and orderly migration across the African continent while also advocating for long-term solutions to the underlying causes of irregular migration.
Read alsoGhana Postpones South African President’s Visit Amid Escalating Xenophobia Row
The diplomatic outreach follows weeks of heightened tensions after Ghana delayed scheduled bilateral engagements with South Africa. The postponement was widely viewed as one of the strongest diplomatic responses by an African nation to South Africa’s recurring outbreaks of anti-foreigner violence, which have repeatedly strained Pretoria’s relations with several countries across the continent.
Ghana Calls for African Union Action
Beyond bilateral diplomacy, Ghana has escalated the matter to the continental level by formally requesting the African Union to place xenophobic attacks in South Africa on the agenda of its next summit.
President Mahama revealed that African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf acknowledged the importance of addressing the issue collectively. According to Mahama, ignoring the problem will neither eliminate its root causes nor strengthen African unity.
He explained that Ghana’s request is not intended to single out or isolate South Africa but rather to create an opportunity for all African leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue on protecting African citizens across borders and strengthening continental integration.
Mahama noted that placing the issue before the African Union would provide South Africa with a formal platform to present its perspective while encouraging member states to develop collective strategies to prevent future attacks and reinforce the ideals of African solidarity.
Implications for African Integration
The growing diplomatic dispute highlights how xenophobic violence has evolved beyond a domestic security challenge into a major continental concern. As African countries continue implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), ensuring the safety of migrants, investors, entrepreneurs, and workers has become increasingly essential to promoting cross-border trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
South Africa remains one of Africa’s largest destinations for migrants and businesses from across the continent, making the protection of foreign nationals a regional priority.
By choosing quiet diplomacy and sending a presidential envoy to Ghana, Pretoria appears determined to reassure its African partners that it is committed to addressing their concerns while maintaining that xenophobic violence does not reflect the values or policies of the South African government.
As attention now shifts to the next African Union Summit, many observers believe the discussions could become a defining moment in shaping a coordinated continental response to xenophobia and strengthening unity among African nations.
