Xenophobia: Nigeria weighs sanctions against S’Africa

Nigeria's Federal Government is displeased with South Africa's perceived inadequate response to a recent wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerian nationals. The government warned that retaliatory diplomatic actions, including a review of bilateral privileges, are under active consideration and have not been ruled out.

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Our citizens are being harassed. Our citizens’ properties are being looted. Criminal actions are being perpetrated, and the police refuse to do anything. The South African government has not come out strongly and firmly enough to condemn these incidents.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, briefed reporters after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, rejecting claims by some South African authorities that Nigerians under attack were illegal migrants. She asserted that Nigerian passport holders were being harassed, their shops looted and burned, and their children intimidated in schools, all while South African police allegedly failed to intervene.

"Our citizens are being harassed. Our citizens’ properties are being looted. Criminal actions are being perpetrated, and the police refuse to do anything. The South African government has not come out strongly and firmly enough to condemn these incidents," Ojukwu stated. She emphasized that Nigerians conducting legitimate business in South Africa are not illegal migrants and that their properties are being targeted.

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To say that Nigerians who are in South Africa doing legitimate business are illegal migrants is absolutely untrue. People who are doing legitimate business have their shops looted, their shops set on fire. Children cannot go to school because they are intimidated in their schools.

The minister highlighted Nigeria's historical contributions to South Africa's struggle for independence, including financial and resource commitments, and the support provided to South African students in Nigerian schools. "Nigeria sacrificed much for the South African struggle for independence... Nigeria is a serious frontline state, and Nigerians are not happy about how they have been treated," she added.

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Nigeria sacrificed much for the South African struggle for independence. Nigeria committed funds, committed resources. In schools, seats were reserved for South African students. My own generation, we carried placards, we demonstrated in front of South African assets. Sometimes we even got arrested for doing this. Nigeria is a serious frontline state, and Nigerians are not happy about how they have been treated.

When asked about potential retaliatory measures, Ojukwu confirmed that Nigeria is considering suspending or reviewing privileges for South African businesses and nationals. The House of Representatives had previously recommended suspending business permits for South African companies, and the Senate resolved to send a delegation to South Africa. President Tinubu has approved evacuation flights for Nigerians.

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That is a situation that we are considering. This is a decision that has to be taken at the highest level of government. But it is not off the table.