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.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Channels Television following recent anti-migrant protests in South Africa that forced several African nationals to flee, Eziakonwa said Africa must urgently address barriers to the free movement of people and strengthen continental solidarity.

“What you would wish is, at the very least, an understanding of the fact that we are one,” she said.

Describing the situation as part of a wider continental challenge, she stressed the need for deeper regional integration.

“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.

According to the UN envoy, the vision of a united Africa can only be achieved through stronger cooperation among its people, rather than agreements between governments alone.

“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.

Eziakonwa, who previously served as the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Bureau for Africa, also highlighted the importance of economic integration.

She advocated greater implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying increased intra-African trade would help unlock the continent’s economic potential.

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.

Speaking on her vision for the role, Eziakonwa said she hopes to contribute to building “a world that works”, while emphasising the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing global challenges.

She further called for stronger international institutions, reforms to the global financial architecture, and greater commitment to tackling the effects of climate change, saying these remain critical to Africa’s sustainable development.