Nigeria demands justice, compensation after ‘Afrophobic’ attacks in South Africa

Nigeria is demanding urgent action and reparations from South Africa following a wave of violent attacks targeting Nigerians, which the Nigerian government has termed "Afrophobic." The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, briefed President Bola Tinubu on discussions held with his South African counterpart, Roland Lamola.

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I briefed Mr. President on the meeting we had and the specific commitments we secured from the South Africans.

Key commitments secured from South Africa include the immediate activation of an Early Warning Mechanism and the strengthening of the bi-national commission between the two nations. President Tinubu has reportedly endorsed these measures. The ministerial-level engagement also resulted in the successful evacuation of approximately 1,490 Nigerians, with two batches funded by private individuals.

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One immediate priority is to quickly activate the Early Warning Mechanism, and to strengthen the bi-national commission between our two countries.

Enikanolaiye emphasized that the violence is "Afrophobic," not merely xenophobic, a distinction President Tinubu agrees is significant. He stressed the need for Africa to unite against such violence targeting Africans within South Africa. While Nigeria prefers diplomacy, Enikanolaiye warned that diplomatic patience has limits and "all options are still on the table" to protect Nigerian citizens and their property.

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We concluded evacuations of about 1,490 Nigerians. I thanked Mr. President for making the resources available.

The Nigerian government is preparing to formally press claims for compensation for the heavy losses of personal property reported by returnees and their families. The situation remains tense as thousands of foreign nationals have fled amid the anti-immigrant sentiment and actions by groups like Operation Dudula.

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President agreed with me that it is Afrophobic, and that Africa must unite in ensuring that we put an end to this spiral of violence targeted at Africans in South Africa.