[Opinion] PLO Lumumba: South Africa Must Be Called Out Over Treatment of African Migrants

Renowned Kenyan scholar and Pan-Africanist Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba has criticized the treatment of African migrants in South Africa, describing recent actions against undocumented immigrants as humiliating and dehumanizing.

PLO, Lumumba

In a statement shared on social media, Lumumba accused South Africa of targeting fellow Africans under the guise of combating illegal immigration while African governments remain largely silent.

According to him, the ongoing treatment of migrants from other African countries raises serious concerns about the continent's commitment to unity and solidarity.

"South Africa continues to humiliate and dehumanize fellow Africans in the name of eliminating undocumented immigrants, yet African governments are silent," he stated.

Lumumba argued that the silence of African leaders in the face of such developments undermines the ideals of Pan-Africanism—the long-held belief that African nations should work together in mutual respect and brotherhood.

As a diplomatic response, the former director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission called on African governments to recall their ambassadors from South Africa for consultations and, in turn, request that South African ambassadors return to Pretoria for guidance.

He suggested that such diplomatic measures would send a strong message that the treatment of African migrants cannot be ignored.

"This is the time for all African governments to recall their ambassadors from South Africa for consultation and to ask South African ambassadors to go back to Pretoria for guidance," he said.

Lumumba further warned that South Africa risks becoming a threat to African unity if such actions continue unchecked.