NIGERIA and Ghana have agreed to strengthen collaboration and develop strategies aimed at preventing crises from escalating across Africa following recent Afrophobic protests and incidents targeting African nationals in South Africa.
News Point Nigeria reports that the agreement was reached during a high-level meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on the sidelines of the ongoing ECOWAS Mid-Year Summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Friday.
According to a statement signed by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in Abuja on Saturday, both ministers agreed on the need for increased cooperation, strategic consultation and preventive diplomacy to address emerging tensions before they develop into full-blown crises.
Enikanolaiye emphasised the importance of stronger coordination between Nigeria and Ghana, noting that preventive diplomacy remains crucial in identifying and resolving issues at an early stage.
He stressed that both countries must work together to “nip irritants in the bud” before they escalate into situations capable of threatening regional peace and unity.
The two ministers expressed deep concern over the resurgence of Afrophobic sentiments and violence against African nationals, describing such actions as threats to the ideals of African unity, solidarity, free movement of persons and regional integration.
They noted that these values are firmly established in the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The ministers condemned all forms of xenophobia, Afrophobia, intolerance and violence directed at fellow Africans, stressing that such acts contradict the shared principles of Pan-Africanism and undermine the collective development of the continent.
They called for urgent and coordinated regional and continental responses to address the root causes of tensions, protect the lives and dignity of African migrants, and promote peaceful coexistence among communities.
The ministers also stressed that individuals who commit crimes among migrant populations must be dealt with strictly according to the rule of law rather than through violence, mob actions or collective punishment that often affects innocent and law-abiding African citizens.
Following their discussions, Nigeria and Ghana agreed to work together to ensure that the issue of Afrophobia becomes part of the agenda for the next African Union Summit.
They also committed to partnering with other like-minded African countries to advocate stronger mechanisms within the AU framework, including improved monitoring systems, early warning mechanisms and preventive diplomacy initiatives aimed at preventing future occurrences.
The meeting further reaffirmed the longstanding fraternal relationship between Nigeria and Ghana, with both ministers calling on African Union member states to recommit themselves to the principles of Pan-Africanism, mutual respect and the free movement of people across the continent.
They also encouraged sustained public education and dialogue as important tools for combating prejudice, promoting understanding and strengthening relations among African communities.
Meanwhile, Enikanolaiye commended Ghana for its leadership role in promoting Pan-Africanism and advancing the campaign for reparations for Africa and people of African descent over historical injustices suffered during the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and the colonial era.
He congratulated Ghanaian President, John Dramani Mahama, on the landmark United Nations resolution on the Transatlantic Slave Trade as well as Ghana’s hosting of the Next Steps High-Level Conference on the issue.
The Nigerian minister stated that Nigeria aligns with and fully supports the decisions reached at the conference as part of efforts towards achieving reparative justice for Africans.
Responding, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, appreciated the Nigerian government’s support and congratulated Ambassador Enikanolaiye on his recent appointment.
Ablakwa called for continuous collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana, stressing that both countries must maintain strong communication channels throughout Enikanolaiye’s tenure.
He expressed support for action-oriented preventive diplomacy, which he said could be achieved through regular brotherly communication devoid of unnecessary bureaucratic delays.
The Ghanaian minister also appreciated Nigeria’s support for the landmark United Nations resolution on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the broader campaign for the implementation of reparative justice.
He highlighted ongoing global efforts towards addressing historical injustices, including official apologies received from the Pope, the Church of England and the Church of Scotland.
Ablakwa also pointed to restitution efforts involving the return of stolen artefacts by several European countries, the repeal of the Code Noir and the establishment of institutions in France dedicated to supporting reparative justice initiatives.
While extending his regards to Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Ghanaian minister acknowledged the positive contributions of the Nigerian delegation at the conference.
He praised Nigeria’s statement and commitment towards advancing the global campaign for reparative justice for Africans and people of African descent.