By Spy Uganda
The Pan-African Pyramid (PAP) has strongly condemned the recent wave of alleged xenophobic attacks and intimidation targeting African migrants in South Africa, warning that such actions threaten the spirit of African unity that helped end apartheid.
In a strongly worded statement released Friday, the organization described the attacks as “painful, unacceptable, and completely contrary to the spirit of Pan-Africanism,” urging South Africans to remember the role other African nations played during the liberation struggle against apartheid.
The statement, signed by PAP Founding Speaker and Chairman Andrew Irumba Katusabe, argued that no African should be treated as a foreigner on the African continent.
“No African should ever be hunted, humiliated, assaulted, or treated like an outsider on African soil simply because of their nationality,” Irumba said.
The organization noted that countries across Africa sacrificed resources, military support, diplomacy, and shelter to support South Africa’s liberation movements during apartheid.
According to PAP, Uganda under President Yoweri Museveni hosted and facilitated military and ideological training for African National Congress (ANC) cadres, while countries such as Tanzania, Zambia, Algeria, Angola, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Libya, and Zimbabwe also contributed to the anti-apartheid struggle in various ways.
Irumba said it was therefore “morally disturbing” to witness fellow Africans being blamed for South Africa’s social and economic challenges.
“African migrants did not create unemployment in South Africa. African migrants did not create corruption. African migrants did not create inequality,” he stated.
The Pan-African Pyramid further argued that corruption, economic injustice, inequality, and poor governance remain the real obstacles to Africa’s progress rather than migration within the continent.
The statement also pointed to the continued success of South African businesses operating across Africa, including in Uganda, where companies linked to South African investments have maintained a strong presence in sectors such as telecommunications, banking, retail, hospitality, and mining.
PAP cited companies including MTN Uganda, Stanbic Bank, MultiChoice, and Protea Hotels as examples of businesses benefiting from peaceful regional economic cooperation.
The organization questioned the contradiction between expanding business integration across Africa and rising hostility toward ordinary African migrants.
“African governments and businesses are integrating economically, while ordinary Africans are showing signs of division socially. That contradiction is dangerous,” Irumba warned.
The group also criticized what it called the “tactical silence” of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government amid reports of attacks on African migrants, while commending opposition politician Julius Malema for speaking out against xenophobia.
PAP called on African governments to intensify Pan-African civic education, strengthen implementation of free movement policies under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and take stronger action against hate speech and violence targeting migrants.
The organization further appealed to schools, universities, media houses, and civil society groups across the continent to promote Pan-African history and solidarity among younger generations.
“We must never replace white racism with black-on-black hatred,” Irumba said. “Africa belongs to Africans, and Africa’s future depends on African unity.”
