By George Omagbemi Sylvester
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has formally acknowledged receipt of a petition requesting an investigation into recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa, a development campaigners say marks an important step in their quest for international scrutiny over violence targeting foreign nationals.
The petition was submitted by the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) in collaboration with the Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA), NIgeria Diaspora Forum (NDF) and other advocacy groups. The organisations are urging the ICC Prosecutor to examine whether repeated attacks against migrants, including Nigerians and other African nationals, could amount to crimes falling within the court’s jurisdiction.
They argue that years of violence, displacement, destruction of businesses and loss of lives warrant an impartial international review.
In its response, the Office of the Prosecutor confirmed that it had received the communication and would assess the information in accordance with the Rome Statute, which governs the ICC’s operations.
The acknowledgement does not mean a formal investigation has been opened but indicates that the submission will undergo a preliminary review to determine whether it meets the legal threshold for further action.
The petition comes after repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence in South Africa over the past decade, during which foreign-owned businesses have been looted, properties destroyed and several migrants killed or displaced.
Advocacy groups insist that many victims have lost businesses built over decades and have been forced to flee communities they once called home.
They are calling on both the South African government and the international community to strengthen protections for migrants, ensure accountability for perpetrators and promote lasting solutions to xenophobia across the country.
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