TWO Ghanaian nationals asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday to examine years of xenophobic violence in South Africa, arguing that repeated attacks on foreign nationals could amount to crimes against humanity.

The petition submitted to the ICC prosecutor by former Ghanaian government spokesperson Palgrave Boakye-Danquah and security analyst Emmanuel Kotin says it seeks accountability after years of recurring attacks on migrants.

“We are simply asking the ICC to investigate these allegations,” Mr Kotin said, adding that the initiative was private and not backed by Ghana’s government.

South Africa has experienced periodic outbreaks of anti-migrant violence for nearly two decades, with rights groups repeatedly urging authorities to do more to prevent attacks and prosecute those responsible.

Anti-immigrant protesters in recent months blamed foreigners in South Africa for high levels of unemployment, crime and pressure on public services.

The violence at the protests and attacks on Africans prompted Nigeria, Ghana and Malawi to repatriate their citizens and summon South African diplomats.

The petition alleges widespread and systematic attacks against African migrants between 2015 and 2026, including killings, assaults, looting and forced displacement.

It also argues South African authorities failed to adequately prevent or prosecute the violence.

A spokesperson for the South African government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.