Rita Enemuru, Reporting
ASABA — Renowned Pan-Africanist Professor Patrick Lumumba has condemned the recent xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa, calling on the South African government to issue a formal apology to the continent and compensate victims who have lost businesses and livelihoods.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba, the Kenyan-born scholar described the attacks as a betrayal of the spirit of African unity. Rather than responding with retaliation, Lumumba urged Africans to demonstrate compassion and understanding, arguing that love would help transform the mindset of those promoting xenophobia and strengthen continental brotherhood.
The professor’s remarks come amid mounting pressure on Pretoria following renewed violence against African migrants. Nigerian human rights lawyer Femi Falana has separately urged the Nigerian and Ghanaian governments to take legal action against South Africa at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, arguing that the African Union lacks the authority to compel compensation.
Call for Economic Transformation
Addressing Africa’s economic future, Lumumba challenged governments and investors across the continent to place greater confidence in Africa’s abundant resources, human capital, and entrepreneurial potential. He called for increased intra-African investment to drive industrialisation, create jobs, and reduce dependence on foreign capital.
The Pan-Africanist also advocated the adoption of a common African currency, saying it would deepen economic integration, boost trade, and accelerate sustainable development across the continent . He previously noted that Africa has 33 currencies, yet none is accepted continent-wide, with more than 80% of intra-African transactions conducted in foreign currencies.
Speaking at the summit, Lumumba also urged the Federal Government to dismantle visa barriers hindering the movement of Africans across the continent, describing such restrictions as undermining regional integration and the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“The next time this summit is held, I want to see Kenyans here, Ghanaians here, Ethiopians here, Moroccans here and Egyptians here,” Lumumba said. “Africans must begin to believe that they possess both the intellectual capacity and the financial resources needed to develop their own continent”.
