Nigeria and Ghana have agreed to collaborate and strategise to prevent crises from escalating in Africa following recent Afrophobic protests and incidents targeting African nationals in South Africa.
A statement signed by Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in Abuja on Saturday, noted that the agreement was reached during a meeting between the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ghana, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on the sidelines of the ongoing ECOWAS Mid-Year Summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Friday.
Enikanolaiye underscored the need for increased collaboration and strategic consultation between both countries and stressed the need for preventive diplomacy, which will enable both countries to nip irritants in the bud before they escalate.
Both ministers expressed deep concern over the resurgence of Afrophobic sentiments and violence, noting that such acts undermine the ideals of African unity, solidarity, free movement of persons, and regional integration as enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.
They condemned all forms of xenophobia, Afrophobia, intolerance, and violence against fellow Africans, emphasising that such acts are contrary to the shared values of Pan-Africanism and the collective progress of the continent.
The ministers underscored the need for urgent, coordinated regional and continental responses to address the root causes of these tensions, protect the lives and dignity of African migrants, and promote harmonious coexistence. They stressed that criminals among migrant populations must be treated in accordance with the rule of law and not be subjected to violence and mob actions that often target even regular migrants.
They agreed to work closely together to ensure that the issue of Afrophobia is placed on the agenda of the next African Union Summit, while committing to collaborate with other like-minded member states to advocate for stronger mechanisms within the AU framework, including enhanced monitoring, early warning systems, and preventive diplomacy.
Enikanolaiye commended Ghana for championing Pan-Africanism and reparations for Africa and people of African descent for the historical injustice suffered during the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and colonial period. He also congratulated Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama on the landmark UN resolution on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the recent hosting of the Next Steps High-Level Conference.
Ablakwa, in his response, appreciated Enikanolaiye on his recent appointment and called for continuous collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana. He also acknowledged Nigeria’s support for the UN resolution on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and efforts toward reparative justice
