Two Ghanaian nationals, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a former government spokesperson on governance and security, and counter-terrorism and security analyst Emmanuel Kotin, have petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open a preliminary investigation into alleged attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa, which they say could constitute crimes against humanity.
According to a Reuters report, the petition submitted to the court on July 15, alleges a “pattern of widespread and systematic attacks” against migrants in South Africa and accuses President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government of failing to prevent or punish crimes, including murder. The petitioners cited years of attacks in which African migrants have allegedly been killed, beaten, and forced to flee their homes, amid growing anti-immigrant protests in the country.
South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, however, dismissed the petition as “opportunistic,” with spokesperson Chrispin Phiri stating that the country has a comprehensive legal framework and enforcement measures to address discrimination and intolerance.
The petition comes amid renewed concerns over xenophobic violence, with several migrants reportedly killed and others displaced following attacks targeting foreigners.