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South Africa Dismisses Ghanaian Petition to ICC Over 'Xenophobia'

South Africa has dismissed as "opportunistic" a petition filed at the International Criminal Court by two Ghanaian nationals seeking an investigation into attacks on foreign migrants, arguing the country's legal system is capable of addressing such cases.

The petition, submitted to the Hague-based court, argued that the violence could amount to crimes against humanity and accuses the South African government of failing to prevent and punish those responsible. Recent anti-migrant protests have prompted thousands of foreign nationals to leave the country. Several African governments and regional bloc Ecowas have condemned the attacks.

South Africa has rejected accusations of xenophobia and reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law. It called for broader African Union discussions on the causes of migration. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged public concerns about migration but has condemned attacks against migrants, warning citizens against taking the law into their own hands.

InFocus

Ihsaan Haffejee/GroundUp

Migrants leave as anti-immigrant protests spread across South Africa (file photo).

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