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African Union and the Quest for Socio-Economic Emancipation in the Face of Xenophobia
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African Union and the Quest for Socio-Economic Emancipation in the Face of Xenophobia
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Journal Article
African Union and the Quest for Socio-Economic Emancipation in the Face of Xenophobia
2025
Overview
Xenophobia presents a significant obstacle to the African Union's (AU) vision of a united and integrated continent. Xenophobia in Africa refers to negative feelings and discriminatory behaviour towards outsiders, particularly immigrants, refugees, or non-nationals. Despite the AU’s efforts to promote unity, xenophobic sentiments and violence persist across several African countries, undermining socio-economic stability, social cohesion, and continental integration. This article examines the challenges xenophobia poses to African unity and regional integration while exploring the AU’s response and proposing strategies to address these issues. The findings reveal that xenophobia affects various socio-economic dimensions, including employment, education, and access to resources for African migrants and host communities. Migrants, often viewed as economic threats, face exclusion from job opportunities and essential services, leading to disrupted livelihoods and perpetuated cycles of poverty. Moreover, xenophobia undermines Agenda 2063’s goals by hindering intra-African mobility, damaging social cohesion, and weakening the foundations of a unified Africa (Paalo, Adu-Gyamfi & Arthur, 2022). Although the AU has publicly condemned xenophobic violence and encouraged protective policies, critics argue that its responses lack enforcement and proactive strategies to curb xenophobia at its roots. The study concludes that xenophobia remains a significant barrier to achieving the AU’s aspirations for a prosperous and integrated Africa. The AU must reinforce its commitment to inclusivity and cooperation among member states to foster lasting unity (Delaila, 2019). Therefore, we recommend that the AU and its member states conduct educational campaigns that promote Pan-Africanism and the economic contributions of migrants. This would change how people think about these issues, make anti-discrimination laws stronger, and improve border and migration policies. All of these changes would make integration easier and lower tensions between communities.
