Nigeria, South Africa Move To End Afrophobic Attacks

The Federal Government has called for urgent and concrete measures to end the recurring Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.

Speaking during a meeting with a South African delegation in Abuja, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olusola Enikanolaiye, who conveyed the warm greetings of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the Nigerian leader directed the engagement as part of efforts to find lasting solutions to the persistent attacks.

The Minister noted that Nigeria and South Africa share a long history of cooperation dating back to the anti-apartheid struggle and have continued to work together in advancing continental integration through the transformation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) into the African Union (AU), as well as the establishment of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

He described the relationship between both countries as strategic and beneficial to Africa’s development but expressed concern over the repeated attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

According to him, “Nigeria and South Africa have enjoyed excellent relations over the years. We are brothers and sisters who belong to the same continent, and our shared aspiration is to build a prosperous Africa. However, the recurring Afrophobic attacks have become a matter of grave concern to the Nigerian Government.”

The Minister observed that incidents of violence against Nigerians have been recorded over the years, citing 1995, 1998, 2006, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 and 2026 as periods when such attacks occurred.

He disclosed that official records indicate that from 2022 alone, no fewer than 98 Nigerians have lost their lives in mob violence and hate-related attacks in South Africa.

“We have seen a disturbing pattern. From 2022 alone, 98 Nigerians have died in mob actions and hate-related attacks. Enough is enough. We believe urgent and concrete measures must be taken to restore confidence and end these attacks,” he said.

While acknowledging South Africa’s concerns over criminal activities involving some foreign nationals, the Minister maintained that criminality should be addressed strictly within the confines of the law.

“If anyone is accused of drug trafficking or any other crime, arrest the person, prosecute them and allow the law to take its course. The Nigerian Government does not support criminality or drug peddling, but no one should be subjected to mob justice or extrajudicial killings,” he stated.

He urged South African authorities to uphold constitutional provisions, international human rights obligations and the rule of law in dealing with all residents, regardless of nationality.

The Minister further expressed concern that many Nigerians who were legally resident in South Africa had also fallen victim to the attacks, while security agencies allegedly failed to intervene effectively.

He stressed that such situations raise concerns about the responsibility of the state to protect lives and property, adding that both countries must work together to address the root causes of the crisis.

Ambassador Enikanolaiye emphasized that migration is a global reality driven by economic and social factors and should be managed through lawful and humane policies rather than violence.

Reflecting on the recent evacuation of nearly 1500 Nigerians from South Africa, the Minister described the experience as heartbreaking.

“I shed tears when I received the first batch of evacuees. I saw children, women and elderly people returning home with virtually nothing after their homes and properties had been destroyed or looted. This is not the way African nations should relate with one another,” he said.

The Minister conveyed President Tinubu’s warm greetings to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work with South Africa in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting African solidarity.

Uju Oparaji, Edited By Grace Namiji