Ghanaian nationals ask ICC to investigate South Africa xenophobic violence

A group of Ghanaian nationals has formally asked the International Criminal Court to open an investigation into what they describe as months of xenophobic violence against migrants in South Africa. According to the filing, the alleged attacks have disproportionately affected foreign nationals from other African countries living in townships and informal settlements around major South African cities.

The request outlines a series of incidents in which migrants say they were targeted because of their nationality, including attacks on street vendors and small-business owners. Civil society groups in South Africa have previously raised concerns about rising anti-migrant sentiment, which they link to economic pressures and unemployment. The Ghanaian nationals behind the filing said they turned to the ICC after what they characterized as an insufficient domestic response.

South African government officials have not issued a detailed public response to the ICC request. It remains unclear whether the court, which typically handles cases involving war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, will take up the matter. Migrant rights organizations said they would continue to monitor the situation and called for stronger protections for foreign nationals in South Africa.