It urged South Africa to ensure that those responsible are brought to book to serve as deterrent to others.
ECOWAS Chairman and President of Ghana John Mahama, in an interview with reporters after a meeting with President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, said it was unfortunate that citizens of countries that fought against white majority rule in South Africa have become target of attacks by South African youths.
He stressed that apart from condemning what was happening in South Africa, ECOWAS and others must work with South African government to ensure that the killing is stopped as well as prevented from happening again.
He said: "I think it is an issue that we are all worried about because of the specific circumstances of South Africa and it's most regrettable and most unfortunate. I think that the young people of South Africa do not know what happened before they gained their freedom. The whole of Africa stood behind South Africa to fight against apartheid.
"Indeed, for several of the countries whose citizens were brutalised in South Africa, these are countries that were called frontline states and harboured the freedom fighters of South Africa and gave them safe haven, gave them passports to be able to avoid the clutches of the apartheid regime.
"Nigeria, even though not a neighbour of South Africa, was considered a frontline state because of the economic contribution that Nigeria made to liberate South Africa from apartheid. And so, it is regrettable that the same people, who fought against apartheid, are being attacked.
"The pictures we have seen are horrible. As ECOWAS, we have issued a statement condemning what is happening. The unfortunate thing is that this is not the first time. It keeps flaring up and so while we are condemning this incidence, we must work with South African government to ensure that it won't happen again.
"We are trying to create an integrated continent where our people can move freely amongst our countries. This has not set a very good example for integration and especially for South Africa that has investments all over countries.
"I think that the government must sit up and must take strong action and those that have been involved in these atrocities must be brought to book and must be punished, serving as a deterrent."
Congratulating Nigerians for a peaceful, free and fair election, he said Nigeria has set an example for other African countries to follow in the area of good governance and democracy.
He said: "I am here in my capacity as the Chair of the Authority of the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and if you recall, shortly before the elections that were held recently in Nigeria, I visited on behalf of ECOWAS in solidarity on behalf of ECOWAS to encourage the country to hold a peaceful election that was free, fair and transparent.
"You have done just that and the elections were held in a very peaceful environment and the President-elect was elected. I am here to congratulate him on his election on behalf of ECOWAS region.
"Earlier this morning, I called on President Goodluck Jonathan and also commended him for the maturity and statesmanship that he has shown in terms of conceding before the results were announced and calling President-elect to congratulate him.
"I think that Nigeria has shown a very good example for our sub region that democracy and good governance has found a firm root in the sub region. ECOWAS has a protocol on democracy, good governance and election and I believe that this has been properly followed in Nigeria.
"We have five elections this year and Nigeria has set the pace. We still have Togo, which is coming up this Saturday. In October, we have Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea. I think that with what has happened in Nigeria, you have set the example for others to follow in terms of the standard to follow."
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