WHO chief laments ‘surge of xenophobia’ in South Africa

by ADANE BIKILA
ADDIS ABABA, (CAJ News) – THE rift between South Africa and sections of the international community is widening over anti-migrant tensions in the country.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, bemoaned what he alleged was the tragic loss of life—specifically mentioning victims from Ethiopia and Mozambique—along with the displacement of thousands of families who he said were now fleeing for safety.

“It is profoundly heartbreaking to witness another surge of xenophobic violence in South Africa this week,” he stated late on Sunday.

“To see South Africa turn to xenophobia is a tragic betrayal of the country’s struggle for independence and freedom,” the WHO chief said.

“African nations stood united to dismantle apartheid. Ethiopia proudly supported ‘Madiba’ Nelson Mandela in 1962 and issued him a passport so he could travel the continent. Other countries helped in many ways, including with political and financial support.”

Ghebreyesus is Ethiopian. Ethiopia is the seat of the African Union (AU).

He insisted that grievances South Africa had currently over migration must be addressed through established justice systems, strictly rejecting vigilante violence and collective punishment.

Ghebreyesus called for an immediate end to the violence, emphasising the necessity of protecting vulnerable populations and appealing to a sense of “shared humanity”.

“South Africa deserves better. Africa deserves better,” he said.

He is the latest high-profile figure to speak out against the violence in South Africa, weeks after United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

“The statement by Dr Ghebreyesus carries significant moral, diplomatic, and socio-political weight,” a commentator said in an interview with CAJ News Africa.

The expert requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the prevailing issue.

“Because he is a high-ranking international official—and because his message specifically invokes the history of African solidarity—his words function as more than just a critique. They are a warning about South Africa’s standing and internal stability,” the analyst said.

The expert said criticism from figures like the WHO Director-General signals that the international community is closely monitoring the situation.

“This can lead to diplomatic pressure, strained bilateral relations with countries whose citizens are targeted, and potential economic retaliation or negative impacts on South African businesses operating elsewhere in Africa,” he said.

Some African governments have begun evacuating their citizens after a so-called June 30 deadline by some vigilante groups for foreign nationals to leave South Africa.

– CAJ News