By Our Staff Writer
Monrovia, Liberia – Liberian human
rights advocate S. Aaron Weah-Weah has pushed back against arguments opposing the condemnation of South Africa over recurring xenophobic attacks, insisting that the country’s leadership and broader society must be held accountable for failing to take decisive action against violence targeting fellow Africans.
Responding to a commentary by legal scholar Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala, titled “Collective Guilt Is Never Justifiable: Why Africa Must Reject Blanket Condemnation of the Republic of South Africa,” Weah-Weah agreed that attacks against African migrants are unacceptable but argued that condemnation alone is insufficient.
According to him, while only a fraction of South Africans may be directly involved in xenophobic violence, many citizens and institutions have failed to take meaningful action to stop the attacks, creating what he described as a culture of indifference toward the suffering of fellow Africans.
Weah-Weah further criticized what he called the South African government’s inadequate response to xenophobia, contending that public statements by political leaders must be matched by concrete actions and policies that protect African migrants and promote unity across the continent.
The human rights Advocate in conversation with Facts TV maintained that Africans have responded responsibly by rejecting retaliatory violence against South Africans living in other countries.
Instead, he argued that peaceful protests, diplomatic pressure, and continental condemnation remain legitimate tools for demanding change.
He concluded that Africa must stand united against xenophobia, warning that continued inaction risks portraying the continent as divided and unwilling to defend the rights and dignity of its own people.
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