WCC NEWS: All Africa Conference of Churches calls for protecting human dignity in wake of xenophobic threats

The All Africa Conference of Churches, in a statement, expressed grave concern regarding the recurring instances of Afro-phobia and xenophobic violence within South Africa.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 01 July 2026 “We reject the dangerous and false narrative that seeks to scapegoat African foreigners for broader economic challenges,” reads the statement. “True security is indivisible.” The statement notes that, when a nation permits violence against the foreigner, the safety of its own citizens is inevitably diminished. “If the spirit and logic of scapegoating are not resisted and overcome, after expelling foreigners, South Africans will turn on each other using other parameters like provinces, tribes, kingdoms as we have seen in many countries in Africa,” the statement reads. “We call upon South Africa to move beyond reactive, temporary measures.” The statement urges the government to establish durable pillars of protection that guarantee the safety of every person.  “Protection must be blind to origin; the state must ensure that every person living within its borders is protected,” reads the message. “Let the spirit of African belonging and solidarity overcome the darkness of division.” The All Africa Conference of Churches appealed to its member churches, African citizens, and governments across the continent to stand in active solidarity.  “We must act as our brother's and sister's keepers during this dark chapter,” the statement reads. “Let us also pray for the perpetrators of violence to be forgiven, but also to be freed from their hate and aggressiveness.” The All Africa Conference of Churches committed to speaking out clearly against hatred and misinformation wherever it manifests. “We ask our member churches to advocate for inclusivity in all our societies,” the statement reads. “We advocate for the creation of safe spaces as well as for the policy changes necessary to protect and support every person within South Africa’s borders, particularly the most vulnerable.” See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland