Nigeria Urges SA to End Xenophobic Violence

Nigeria has called on South Africa to strengthen measures against xenophobic violence targeting Nigerians and other African migrants, warning that repeated attacks are affecting relations between the two countries and raising concerns about the safety of foreign nationals.

The appeal was made during talks in Abuja between Nigerian officials and a South African delegation led by International Relations Minister and Special Envoy Ronald Lamola. The meeting followed growing concern over attacks on migrants in parts of South Africa.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, said President Bola Tinubu directed that the discussions address what the government described as persistent attacks on African migrants. He said incidents of anti-immigrant violence had recurred since 1995 and added that at least 98 Nigerians had been killed in such attacks since 2022.

According to Nigerian officials, more than 1,490 Nigerians have been evacuated from South Africa during recent waves of violence. The attacks have included assaults on foreign nationals and the looting of businesses owned by migrants. Enikanolaiye said both undocumented migrants and legally resident foreigners had been affected and expressed concern over reports that security agencies did not intervene in some incidents.

Lamola said the South African government remains committed to opposing xenophobia, racism and all forms of discrimination. He reiterated President Cyril Ramaphosa’s pledge to protect everyone living in the country regardless of nationality.

No new measures were announced at the meeting, but both countries said they would continue diplomatic engagement on the issue.

SOURCE: Reuters