WOMEN WATCH AFRIKA CONDEMNS THE ATTACKS ON AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS AND MIGRANTS IN SOUTH AFRICA, AND JOINS IN THE CALLS FOR JUSTICE, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND PAN-AFRICAN SOLIDARITY

WOMEN WATCH AFRIKA CONDEMNS THE ATTACKS ON AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS AND MIGRANTS IN SOUTH AFRICA, AND JOINS IN THE CALLS FOR JUSTICE, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND PAN-AFRICAN SOLIDARITY

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 27, 2026

 

Atlanta, GA — Women Watch Afrika (WWA)  condemns the recurring and xenophobic attacks targeting West African immigrants and nationals in South Africa.  This recurring rise of anti-immigrant focused attacks have targeted foreign nationals–attacking their physical safety and disrupting their businesses.

Women Watch Afrika strongly condemns all forms of xenophobia, racial discrimination, and intolerance; and calls upon the administration of President Cyril Ramaphosa to take swift action to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for these attacks as appropriate under the law.

Preye Cobham, Esq., Attorney and Deputy Executive Director, Women Watch Afrika states: “Anti-immigrant sentiment is a disturbing growing trend worldwide, in which Black and Brown immigrants, migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are being targeted.  The unfortunate and uncomfortable truth is that the systems that condone and push the idea of one race being superior to another continue to grow and continue to condition how many societies view themselves and one another.  People are being conditioned to see themselves as enemies rather than the structural injustices and inequities that diminish, isolate, and disenfranchise our communities.”

As Emperor Haile Selassie I stated at the United Nations on October 4, 1963 calling for World Peace:

“Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned; That until there are no longer first-class and second-class citizens of any nation; That until the color of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes; That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race; That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained.”

South Africa like many nations that suffered deeply rooted racism and xenophobia has structural and income disparities as the legacy of apartheid continues to leave many Black South Africans excluded from full economic participation.  However, this does not justify attacks on the innocent West African immigrants and migrants that are trying to make a living in South Africa.

Women Watch Afrika stands in solidarity with African immigrants here at home in the United States, as well as those in South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and in other parts of the world in which they are being oppressed, marginalized, and targeted.  WWA believes that it is necessary for us as a people to reject conditioned division and work on the dismantling of the oppressive and unjust systems that deny Black and Brown people–citizens, immigrants, migrants, refugees, and asylees– social and economic equality, and the ability to live in peace and with dignity.

“It is a grave mistake to attack other African nationals and countries who stood by the oppressed and targeted Black community in the liberation struggle against apartheid” states Glory Kilanko, Founder and CEO, Women Watch Afrika.  “The government must address this injustice and hold those responsible for these reprehensible crimes accountable.”

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