Ghana's ICC Petition Over Migrant Attacks Dismissed as 'Opportunistic'

Sun Sep 06 2026 02:40:07 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

South Africa rejects a Ghanaian petition at the International Criminal Court, citing insufficient evidence and affirming its own legal system can handle the case.

A petition filed by two Ghanaian nationals at the International Criminal Court (ICC) alleges widespread violence against migrants in South Africa and calls the attacks a crime against humanity. Johannesburg officials have dismissed the case as opportunistic, stating the matter does not meet the ICC’s legal threshold. South Africa’s foreign ministry insists its domestic courts can prosecute the offenders and called for broader African Union discussions on migration causes.

Ghana's ICC Petition Over Migrant Attacks Dismissed as 'Opportunistic'

South Africa has censured a petition filed at the International Criminal Court (ICC) by two Ghanaians seeking an investigation into violent attacks on foreign nationals during recent anti‑migrant protests. The petition, submitted last week, argues the assaults could qualify as a crime against humanity and points to deficiencies in the country’s protective measures.

The South African foreign ministry says the submission fails to meet the ICC’s legal threshold and asserts that the nation’s own judiciary is fully equipped to handle such investigations. It categorises the petition as “opportunistic” and reaffirms its commitment to uphold the rule of law.

Diplomatic friction between Ghana and South Africa has intensified, as Ghana was among the first African states to request the repatriation of its citizens following the surge of anti‑migrant demonstrations. Ghana claims a citizen was killed in related violence, a claim denied by South African authorities.

The petition is signed by Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, former government spokesperson on governance and security, and Emmanuel Kotin, a counter‑terrorism analyst. They allege a “pattern of widespread and systematic attacks” that has persisted for years, calling for accountability from state officials.

The ICC has yet to publicly confirm whether it will review the petition. West African regional bloc Ecowas has condemned the attacks and urged swift action by South African authorities to safeguard foreign nationals across the continent.