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Nigeria Demands Greater Protection for Citizens as South Africa Moves to Curb Xenophobic Attacks
Nigeria has urged South Africa to take stronger measures to protect foreign nationals after revealing that at least 98 Nigerians have been killed since 2022 in mob attacks, hate-related violence and extra-judicial killings.
The call came as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, received South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, in Abuja on July 27.
Acting on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Enikanolaiye expressed Nigeria’s deep concern over the recurring attacks on Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa.
He called on the South African government to strengthen protection for foreign nationals, ensure perpetrators are held accountable and take concrete steps to prevent further violence.
The minister recalled Nigeria’s historic support for South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle and stressed that individuals suspected of crimes should face prosecution through the judicial system rather than mob justice.
He also highlighted the humanitarian consequences of the violence, referencing the recent evacuation of 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa, which he described as deeply distressing.
Responding, Lamola reaffirmed South Africa’s opposition to xenophobia, racism and violence, while maintaining that his country has the sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws.
He acknowledged concerns over attacks on Nigerians and disclosed that several suspects had been arrested in connection with recent incidents, adding that prosecutions are ongoing.
The South African envoy also raised concerns about criminal activities involving some Nigerian nationals and called for stronger bilateral cooperation to combat organised crime.
At the end of the meeting, both countries agreed to de-escalate inflammatory rhetoric through diplomatic engagement, strengthen security and migration cooperation, fast-track implementation of the long-delayed Early Warning Mechanism, prepare for the next Nigeria–South Africa Binational Commission meeting, and preserve the longstanding strategic partnership and Pan-African solidarity between both nations.
Ambassador Enikanolaiye is expected to brief President Tinubu on the outcome of the talks.
