Accra, May 23, GNA - Members of Parliament (MPs) on Friday condemned the recent attacks on some African nationals in South Africa over claims that these immigrants were taking over South African jobs. The MPs touched on the past support given to South Africans during their struggles against apartheid and urged the authorities in that country to protect the lives of other nationals and put an end to the violent attacks.

The MPs were contributing to a statement on the floor of the House ahead of this year's African Union Day celebrations on May 25. They also made references to recent election disputes in Kenya and Zimbabwe and urged the African Union to step in to ensure credible and violent-free elections on the continent.

Ms. Christine Churcher, Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee, in a statement to mark the day, said: "Mr Speaker, the African Day should serve as a day of sober reflection for all of us on what has gone wrong, what is right and finding solutions to the continent's weaknesses and lapses."

Touching on the theme for the day - meeting the millennium development goals on water and sanitation- Ms. Churcher said the inability of the continent to ensure access to potable water would make the attainment of the MDGs a mirage.

Mr. John Mahama, (NDC-Bole Bamboi) also touched on various issues, including human rights abuses and election disputes and cited the change of Cameroon's constitution making it possible for the incumbent President to run for the presidency as many times as he chooses. Ms. Cecilia Dapaah, Minister of State, Water Resources, Works and Housing, who focused on the theme, said there was the need to pay more attention to improving water delivery and management of waste. She said water was life and sanitation added dignity to humankind.