For years, African migrants and refugees living in South Africa have endured recurring waves of xenophobic and Afrophobic violence. Innocent people have been killed, injured, displaced, and robbed. Homes and businesses have been looted or destroyed, and countless families now live in fear simply because they come from another African country.

Although the South African government has stated that private citizens have no legal authority to demand immigration documents or harass foreign nationals, numerous widely circulated videos continue to show protesters targeting African migrants, intimidating business owners, and attempting to force people from their communities.

While some groups claim to be protesting only undocumented migrants, many publicly available videos appear to show African nationals being targeted regardless of their immigration status. Naturalized South African citizens, lawful residents, and people with valid South African identification have reportedly been told to leave their businesses and communities solely because they originated from another African country.

There have also been disturbing reports and videos of attempts to block African foreign nationals from accessing schools and healthcare facilities. One widely shared video appears to show a South African politician threatening to disconnect life-support equipment being used by foreign African nationals in a hospital. Such statements and actions, whether carried out or not, contribute to a climate of fear, hostility, and discrimination.

Many victims and civil society organizations believe that accountability for xenophobic violence has been inadequate. Stronger investigations, prosecutions where evidence supports criminal charges, and meaningful protections are urgently needed to safeguard everyone living in South Africa, regardless of nationality.

This crisis is about more than immigration. It is about human dignity, equal protection under the law, and the future of African unity. No African should fear violence, discrimination, or exclusion while living, working, studying, or seeking refuge in another African country.

We call on the Government of South Africa to protect all people within its borders, hold perpetrators of xenophobic violence accountable, reject hate speech and incitement, and ensure equal access to justice, education, healthcare, and economic opportunity for everyone.

We also call on the African Union, African governments, civil society organizations, and people of goodwill around the world to stand together against Afrophobia and xenophobia.

Sign this petition and add your voice. Together, we can demand justice, defend human dignity, and reaffirm that every African deserves to live in peace, safety, and dignity anywhere on the African continent.