By Michael Pepsin Avorgah, GNA
Aflao (V/R), May 23, GNA – Torgbui Adzonugaga Amenya Fiti V, Paramount Chief of Aflao Traditional Area and President of the Forum of Kings of Africa, has called for calm and renewed African solidarity following rising xenophobic tensions in South Africa.
In a short video broadcast to traditional rulers, political leaders, and citizens across the continent, Torgbui Fiti appealed to Africans to reject division and uphold the shared values of unity, dignity, and peaceful coexistence.
The Aflao Paramount Chief expressed concern over reported incidents of hostility against foreign African nationals, describing the situation as troubling and capable of undermining decades of continental progress.
He emphasised that Africa’s unity transcends geography, describing it as a bond rooted in shared history, sacrifice, and collective destiny.
Torgbui Fiti warned that silence in moments of moral urgency could erode the foundations of humanity and dignity that Africans hold in common.
He urged South Africans to reject xenophobia and avoid directing frustration over economic and social challenges at fellow Africans.
“This is not the time for xenophobic acts. It is not the hour to turn against those who share our African identity,” he said.
He noted that many Africans residing in South Africa, like citizens, are in pursuit of dignity, opportunity, and a better life and should not be treated as adversaries.
Torgbui Fiti urged South Africans to exercise restraint, stressing that targeting fellow Africans over economic and social frustrations undermines the spirit of Pan-Africanism.
He noted that migration within the continent is often driven by the search for better opportunities and should not be met with hostility or exclusion.
He cautioned that escalating tensions could damage South Africa’s standing as a symbol of African liberation and resilience, while weakening broader efforts toward regional integration.
The traditional leader emphasised that Africa’s strength lies in its unity and diversity, calling for dialogue, tolerance, and mutual respect among citizens of different nationalities.
He further underscored the responsibility of leaders to promote peace and guide their societies away from conflict, especially in times of heightened tension.
Torgbui Fiti also advocated long-term solutions to address the root causes of migration and economic hardship, noting that these challenges require collective and coordinated responses across the continent.
He called on African countries to prioritise inclusive policies that promote opportunity, justice, and shared development.
The appeal forms part of growing calls by stakeholders across Africa for restraint and cooperation amid concerns over recurring xenophobic incidents in parts of South Africa.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah