Accra – The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) says it is deeply concerned about the recent events in South Africa, which have been marked by acts of xenophobic violence against nationals of other African countries.
“In these particularly grave circumstances, SECAM expresses its fraternal and ecclesial solidarity with the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) for its prophetic stance in support of African migrants who are victims of discrimination and xenophobia,” the body for communion, consultation, and coordination of the Catholic Church in Africa and the neighbouring islands said on Wednesday, 6 May 2026.
SECAM stated that it also extends its sympathy to all victims of this violence and to their families, who have been severely affected.
“At the heart of this crisis lies a fundamental challenge to the human conscience,” SECAM said.
“Biblical revelation teaches that every person is created in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26-27), a truth that underpins the infinite dignity of every human being, regardless of their origin, nationality, tribe, culture, or migration status.”
SECAM strongly reiterated that this dignity must remain the primary criterion for all social organisation and public policy.
SECAM added: “Any violence directed against foreigners constitutes not only a grave violation of the human person but also a negation of the foundations of universal brotherhood and the Africa we want”.
SECAM reaffirmed the need for a balance between the legitimate sovereignty of states and the imperative requirement for migrants to respect the laws and customs of their host country.
As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants’ duties toward their country of adoption.
“Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens.” (CCC, n. 2241).
SECAM said the acts of violence recently witnessed in South Africa constitute a serious violation of African principles and continental law.
“They undermine the fundamental rights guaranteed by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, notably the right to life, dignity, security, and equality before the law,” SECAM said.
“They also contradict the continent’s core values, such as African solidarity, the spirit of Ubuntu – I am because we are – and the ideals of Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance.”
In light of this situation, SECAM calls on the Government of South Africa to take urgent, concrete, and sustainable measures to ensure the protection of all persons living on its territory, in accordance with its continental and international commitments.
SECAM urged the Government to conduct impartial investigations, identify and prosecute those responsible for these acts, put an end to all forms of vigilante justice, and strengthen the legitimate authority of the State.
SECAM also calls on the African Union to fully assume its role as guardian of continental values, to ensure the effective implementation of African legal instruments on human rights, and to encourage the establishment of prevention and early warning mechanisms against xenophobic violence.
The credibility of Africa, which aspires to become a key player on the international stage, is at stake.
SECAM called on people to reject all forms of violence, all rhetoric of hatred and stigmatisation, to reject discourse that divides African peoples, and to promote a culture of encounter, dialogue, and African brotherhood.
“Following the example of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30–35), we are all called to rediscover an ethic of closeness, where the stranger is not perceived as a threat but recognised as a brother or sister of whom we are the guardians,” said Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo Archbishop of Kinshasa
President of SECAM.
“At this critical juncture, SECAM reaffirms its resolute commitment to migrants, the poor, and the most vulnerable, to promote a society founded on justice, peace, and human dignity, as well as on dialogue between African peoples and nations.
“It invites all men and women of good will to work tirelessly towards building a reconciled Africa, faithful to its profound vocation to be, from Cairo to Cape Town, a family of peoples united in dignity and solidarity.”
SECAM assured all victims of xenophobic violence of its spiritual, pastoral, and supportive closeness: “dear brothers and sisters, you are not alone; we will never abandon you”.
Meanwhile, the SA Presidency has rejected the characterisation of anti-immigrant protests as xenophobic.
The matter was raised during the visit to South Africa of Mozambique President Daniel Chapo earlier this week.
However, President Chapo and President Cyril Ramaphosa agreed that South Africa was not xenophobic.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, President Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, stated: “South Africa is not xenophobic… South Africans are not xenophobic.
“What you have are pockets of protests… which is permissible within our constitutional framework.
“You also have the reality that the issue of immigration is a pressure point, not only here in South Africa, but throughout the world, where protests are held on these issues.
“What is important from our perspective is obviously respecting the rights of ëverybody that is within our borders… and when we protest to do so peacefully without causing harm to anybody.”
The spokesperson also revealed that President Ramaphosa and visiting President Chapo also agreed that the continent needs to work together to address the issues that are behind these high levels of migration across Africa.
Magwenya cited conflicts, instability, and misgovernance as some of the reasons that cause migration.
“The condemnation that we have had coming from different quarters on the continent should not just end in condemnations, but there should also be willingness to constructively engage on what these issues and factors behind people seeking to leave their countries of birth and seeking refuge elsewhere.”
