The Federal Government has strongly condemned the recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa. The government urged Pretoria to take urgent and concrete steps to end the violence.
The condemnation comes as President Bola Tinubu declined to personally receive a special envoy from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Instead, the President directed the delegation to meet with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb Sola Enikanolaiye.
President Tinubu declines to meet envoy
Multiple Presidency sources told The PUNCH that the South African delegation arrived in Abuja on Friday with a message from President Ramaphosa. However, Tinubu opted against meeting them amid the diplomatic tension generated by the recent attacks.
One Presidency source said the delegation arrived on Friday wanting to see the President. However, there was no prior notice. When Monday came, the President directed that they should meet the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs instead.
Nigeria expresses disappointment over attacks
Speaking while receiving the delegation in Abuja, Amb Enikanolaiye said the President directed the meeting to exchange views on resolving the attacks. He stressed that the long-standing strategic relationship between both countries should not be undermined by violence against African migrants.
“It is with profound pleasure that I welcome our brothers from South Africa,” he said. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had actually asked us to meet with you and exchange views and perspectives on how to address and resolve the ongoing Afrophobic attacks in South Africa, of which Nigerians and other citizens of Africa have been victims.”
Pattern of attacks dating back decades
The minister expressed disappointment over what he described as a persistent pattern of attacks dating back more than three decades.
“We have seen a pattern emerge as early as 1995, 1998, 2006, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 and 2026,” he said.
“From 2022 alone, 98 Nigerians have died in mob actions and hate-related attacks that we have described as Afrophobia because Africans, particularly Nigerians, are the predominant victims.”
South Africa reaffirms opposition to xenophobia
Responding, Lamola said Ramaphosa sent him to Abuja to reaffirm South Africa’s opposition to xenophobia and other forms of intolerance.
“We have been outspoken against any intolerance, including xenophobia, racism, homophobia, violence and discrimination directed at individuals within our borders,” he said.
He, however, maintained that South Africa would continue to enforce its immigration laws and tackle criminal activities.
“President Ramaphosa has also been very firm on South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce immigration laws,” Lamola added.
Read also: EDITORIAL: Nigeria must fight xenophobia with strategy, not self-inflicted damage
