FG Summons South African Envoy Over Attacks on Nigerians
The Federal Government has summoned South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner in Abuja over attacks on foreign nationals in the country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday.
South Africa, the continent’s most industrialised economy, has long attracted both documented and undocumented African workers. However, burdened by an unemployment rate exceeding 30 per cent, the country has experienced recurring waves of xenophobic and anti-migrant protests, including renewed violence in recent weeks.
South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner is scheduled to meet Nigerian officials on Monday to discuss “documented instances of mistreatment of Nigerian citizens and attacks on their businesses”, according to the ministry’s spokesman, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
The summons comes a week after Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called in South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner in Accra over several “xenophobic incidents” targeting Ghanaians.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, cited an incident in KwaZulu-Natal Province, where a Ghanaian — described as a legal resident — was confronted and instructed to leave South Africa and “fix his country”.
The statement also warned of “escalating tensions”, advising foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, to remain indoors for their safety.
According to South Africa’s statistics agency, more than three million foreigners reside in the country, representing 5.1 per cent of the population. Over 63 per cent of these individuals originate from countries within the 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC).
South Africa’s Acting Police Minister, Mr. Firoz Cachalia, last week condemned the anti-immigrant violence, describing attacks on foreign nationals as “unlawful” and contrary to the country’s constitutional values of dignity and equality.
“Acts of xenophobia, violence, looting, or intimidation will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” Mr. Cachalia said.
He added that the police had “been instructed to act decisively and without hesitation in addressing these incidents”.
