The authorities of Ghana have reported this Tuesday that the scheduled visit of the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, will be suspended until the tension generated by episodes of xenophobic violence recorded in South Africa against migrants from neighboring countries decreases, a situation that, according to Accra, threatens to tarnish the trip.
The Minister of Communication and spokesman for the Ghanaian government, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, explained in an interview with the radio station Joy that “Given the nature of the recent attacks, it is likely that they will overshadow the very important issues that would need to be discussed during said visit. That is why we believe that, when the situation calms down and the issue of xenophobic attacks is no longer looming over those debates, it will be the right time to carry out the visit.”
In this context, he stressed that the diplomatic link with Pretoria remains “cordial,” although he admitted that the Executive has been forced to make specific decisions to “protect its citizens from attacks.”
The spokesman detailed that “Therefore, we have organized the return of several of them to the country and preparations continue to repatriate more. Beyond that, we do not believe that our relations have been harmed,” referring to the return operations promoted by the governments involved.
Even so, Kwakye Ofosu made it clear that the racist disturbances in South Africa in recent weeks have generated friction. “We believe that the South African government could have done more to ensure the safety and protection of Ghanaians in particular, and of other foreign citizens residing in South Africa in general,” he pointed out.
The protests demanding the expulsion of irregular immigrants have deteriorated Pretoria’s relations with several countries on the continent. As a consequence, states such as Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya, among others, have proceeded to evacuate hundreds of their nationals from South African territory.
