Xenophobia: UN Special Adviser On Africa Calls For Unity, Free Movement Across Continent

The newly appointed United Nations Special Adviser on Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa, has called for greater unity and regional integration across the continent, warning that anti-migrant sentiment could undermine Africa’s collective progress.

“I think Africa needs to address this core question of free movement and regional integration. Otherwise, South Africa will not be the last one,” she said.

“It’s really how we come together as a continent to make real the united Africa that we’re talking about in the African Union. That union has to be a people union, not just a union around states,” she added.

The UN Special Adviser urged African countries to move beyond exporting raw materials and instead invest in value addition, businesses and local industries to increase the continent’s economic impact, scale and global leverage.

She also called on governments to create an enabling environment for investors and entrepreneurs, noting that stronger investment across Africa would accelerate development and shared prosperity.