AACC Call for Protection and Upholding Human Dignity in the Wake of Xenophobic Threats and Attacks in South Africa
“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God,” (Leviticus 19:34)
The All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) expresses grave concern regarding the recurring instances of Afrophobia and xenophobic violence within South Africa. These acts are not merely social disturbances; they are direct violations of the Image of God (Imago Dei), in whom we all live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). AACC advocates for all to “respect the dignity and image of God in every human being.”
A Call for Systematic Protection and Sanity
We reject the dangerous and false narrative that seeks to scapegoat African foreigners for broader economic challenges. We urge the nation to extinguish the fires of hate and build a society where, as scripture reminds us, "the foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born" (Leviticus 19:34).
True security is indivisible. When a nation permits violence against the foreigner, the safety of its own citizens is inevitably diminished, and the moral fabric of society begins to tear. If the spirit and logic of scapegoating are not resisted and overcome, after expelling foreigners, South Africans will turn on each other using other parameters like provinces, tribes, kingdoms as we have seen in many countries in Africa. The peace is not achieved by the absence of the "other"; but rather by the active presence of justice for all.
We call upon South Africa to move beyond reactive, temporary measures. We urge the government to establish durable pillars of protection that guarantee the safety of every person: citizen, migrant, and visitor alike. Protection must be blind to origin; the state must ensure that every person living within its borders is protected.
Reclaiming the Cradle of Ubuntu
South Africa is historically known as a beacon of hope, a "Rainbow Nation" and among a cradle of Ubuntu philosophy ("I am because we are"). We call upon South Africa to reclaim this noble identity and remember its own history of struggle and liberation, to which many countries in Africa and the world contributed sacrificially. Let the spirit of African belonging and solidarity overcome the darkness of division.
We commend the various churches in South Africa as well as continental ecumenical bodies which courageously and with a sense of duty, have already publicly condemned violence against foreigners in South Africa and call on others who have not, to do the same.
A Call for Continental Solidarity
The AACC appeals to its member churches, African citizens, and governments across the continent to stand in active solidarity. We must act as our brother's and sister's keepers during this dark chapter.
Prayer & Humanitarian Support: The Lord God is our ultimate refuge; let us continuously petition Him while simultaneously providing tangible assistance to those affected and living in fear. Let us also pray for the perpetrators of violence to be forgiven, but also to be freed from their hate and aggressiveness.
A Prophetic Voice: We commit to speaking out clearly against hatred and misinformation wherever it manifests. We ask our member churches to advocate for inclusivity in all our societies.
Protection: We advocate for the creation of safe spaces as well as for the policy changes necessary to protect and support every person within South Africa’s borders, particularly the most vulnerable.
A call for the South Africa government: We call upon the government to address the root causes of Social unrest and xenophobia which include the gross economic suffering and inequalities of the South Africa Population.
Resisting retaliatory reactions in all countries: While we acknowledge the anger and frustration in all countries with affected citizens, we urge the churches and governments in those countries not to retaliate against South Africans residing in their own countries. As we reject the violence of foreigners in South Africa, we also reject retaliatory violence against innocent South Africans in other African countries.
We are God’s one family. Let us choose the path of mutual co-existence and peace. Let us strive to be told by the Lord himself on the Day of judgement, “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35).
Rt Rev Lydia Cynthia Chituku Neshangwe
AACC PRESIDENT
Rev. Dr. Fidon R. Mwombeki
AACC GENERAL SECRETARY
In the photo: Poster by South Africans and migrants during an anti-xenophobia match outside the city hall of Durban in 2015. [Courtesy - Association for African Catholic Information in Africa website]
