Two Ghanaian nationals have petitioned the International Criminal Court to open a preliminary investigation into xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, arguing the violence may constitute crimes against humanity.
The petition, submitted July 15 and identified in Ghanaian media as coming from former government security spokesperson Palgrave Boakye-Danquah and counter-terrorism analyst Emmanuel Kotin, alleges a “pattern of widespread and systematic attacks” against African migrants, accusing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government of failing to prevent or punish the violence, including killings.
South Africa has seen a surge in anti-immigrant protests in recent months, with migrants — roughly 5% of the population — blamed by some for crime and unemployment. Ramaphosa has previously condemned the attacks. Neither his office nor the ICC had responded to requests for comment as of publication.
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