DistantNews
Support us
Nigeria, South Africa hold tense meeting over xenophobic protests
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Nigeria, South Africa hold tense meeting over xenophobic protests

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • Nigerian and South African diplomats met in Abuja to address ongoing xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa.
  • Nigeria accused South Africa of complicity, citing attacks on Nigerians with legitimate papers and perceived police inaction.
  • South Africa defended its actions, citing criminality by immigrants and its right to manage irregular migration.

Nigerian and South African diplomats convened in Abuja for a tense meeting aimed at resolving the ongoing xenophobic attacks targeting foreigners within South Africa. Despite initial pleasantries, significant differences emerged regarding the handling of the protests, which demonstrators have linked to crime, unemployment, and strained public services.

We have records of Nigerians who have legitimate papers to remain in South Africa, yet they have been attacked.

— Sola EnikanolaiyeNigeria's junior minister for foreign affairs expressed concern over the treatment of Nigerian citizens in South Africa.

Nigeria's junior minister for foreign affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, voiced strong criticism, stating, "We have records of Nigerians who have legitimate papers to remain in South Africa, yet they have been attacked." He further expressed concern over observed "mob actions in which we saw the police watching, as if they are helpless to address this situation," accusing Pretoria of "complicity."

And we could see some mob actions in which we saw the police watching, as if they are helpless to address this situation.

— Sola EnikanolaiyeNigeria's junior minister for foreign affairs accused South African police of inaction during xenophobic attacks.

South Africa's delegation, led by Minister for International Relations Ronald Lamola, countered by highlighting issues of "criminality" attributed to immigrants, including drug peddling and wire fraud. Lamola asserted the country's right to "deal decisively with irregular migration, undocumented immigrants, including acts of criminality," while also stating that President Cyril Ramaphosa "has been outspoken against any intolerance."

President (Cyril) Ramaphosa and the government he leads have been outspoken against any intolerance.

— Ronald LamolaSouth Africa's minister for international relations affirmed President Ramaphosa's stance against intolerance.

Analysts suggest that South Africa, despite being one of the continent's most industrialized economies and a magnet for immigrants, grapples with high unemployment, weak social services, and crime. Immigrants are frequently scapegoated for these broader societal failures. The protests have led to violence, with at least four foreign nationals reported killed in attacks linked to the anti-migrant sentiment, according to South African police. However, some African governments repatriating their citizens report a higher death toll. An AFP tally indicates over 160,000 people have fled South Africa, including approximately 1,500 Nigerians.

deal decisively with irregular migration, undocumented immigrants, including acts of criminality.

— Ronald LamolaSouth Africa's minister for international relations stated the country's right to manage immigration and criminal activity.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog