ECOWAS Lawmakers Demand Urgent Probe Into Xenophobic Attacks, Warn Region Failing Its Citizens

By Jane Salihu

The ECOWAS Parliament has ordered a full investigation into rising cases of xenophobic violence against West African nationals, warning that the region risks losing credibility if it cannot guarantee the safety of its citizens across borders.

The directive followed a motion raised by Third Deputy Speaker Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin during plenary at the Parliament’s first ordinary session of 2026 in Abuja. Describing the situation as a matter of “direct and profound importance,

” he called for urgent accountability over a surge in violent attacks, particularly in South Africa, as well as deadly incidents affecting ECOWAS citizens in parts of the Sahel.

Afenyo-Markin cited the February 14 ambush in northern Burkina Faso, where suspected militants killed 18 Ghanaian traders, as well as a recent offensive in Mali that disrupted a key trade corridor between Ghana and Mali. He warned that such incidents not only threaten lives but also undermine regional trade and integration.

He further condemned widespread xenophobic attacks reported in cities such as Durban, Cape Town and Pretoria, where African migrants, including Nigerians and Ghanaians, have faced killings, displacement and destruction of businesses. While acknowledging remarks by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa denouncing xenophobia, he stressed that stronger enforcement actions are needed to bring perpetrators to justice.

The lawmaker also criticised ECOWAS for failing to fully implement its 1979 free movement protocol, noting that citizens continue to face harassment at borders despite regional agreements. According to him, the gap between policy and reality has weakened confidence in the bloc’s commitment to integration.

To tackle the crisis, the Parliament has tasked its Committee on Political Affairs to investigate the incidents and recommend concrete measures. Proposals on the table include establishing a dedicated body to monitor the safety of ECOWAS citizens abroad, strengthening border governance, and engaging South African authorities and continental human rights institutions.

“The safety of our people must never be compromised,” Afenyo-Markin said, urging swift and coordinated action to restore trust and protect citizens across the region.