International Community Condemn South African Xenophobia Attacks

The UN is in particular concerned with the rising numbers of displaced people following xenophobic violence that has also claimed dozens of lives.

The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights expressed concerns over the violence saying many foreigners have been affected and their shops and businesses looted forcing them to be refugees and asylum seekers.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development has termed the attacks as unfortunate and requiring urgent action since citizens of IGAD member states are among those directly affected.

Evacuating citizens

IGAD Executive Secretary Ambassador Mahboub Maalim commended measures being taken by the government of South Africa to contain the situation.

Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, on Friday stated that South Africa faces challenges which cut across the continent and that these countries need to work together to address them.

In the latest attacks, thousands of foreign nationals have fled their homes to shelter in makeshift camps, and several countries including Kenya, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique have announced plans to evacuate their citizens.

Dozens of South Africans living in Mozambique left the country yesterday fearing reprisal attacks.