The Federal Government has strongly condemned the latest wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa, warning that immigration enforcement must never become an excuse for violence.
The position was made known on Monday during a closed-door meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and a special presidential delegation from South Africa led by the country’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
The high-level meeting, held behind closed doors, focused on the recent attacks targeting foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, as well as broader issues affecting diplomatic relations between Africa’s two largest economies.
During the discussions, the South African delegation defended its government’s immigration policies, insisting that Pretoria has a sovereign responsibility to enforce its laws and tackle criminal activities within its borders.
According to the delegation, ongoing operations against illegal immigration are aimed at addressing crimes such as drug trafficking and other offences allegedly linked to some foreign nationals, stressing that the measures are part of broader efforts to strengthen law enforcement.
However, the Nigerian government rejected any attempt to justify violence under the guise of immigration control.
Speaking during the meeting, Ambassador Enikanolaiye described the repeated attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals as deeply troubling, warning that the incidents appear to reflect a recurring pattern of Afrophobic violence in South Africa.
He emphasized that while every country has the right to enforce its immigration and criminal laws, such actions must never endanger innocent and law-abiding residents.
The minister maintained that attacks against Nigerians and other Africans cannot be justified under any circumstances, regardless of the challenges associated with illegal immigration or crime.
Enikanolaiye also reminded the South African delegation of Nigeria’s historic role in supporting the anti-apartheid struggle, noting that the long-standing relationship between both countries makes the repeated attacks on Nigerians particularly painful.
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He called for honest and constructive dialogue between Abuja and Pretoria to address the root causes of the violence and prevent future occurrences.
Highlighting the human cost of the crisis, the minister disclosed that no fewer than 98 Nigerians have lost their lives in previous xenophobic-related attacks in South Africa.
According to him, the figure underscores the urgency for both governments to move beyond diplomatic exchanges and implement lasting measures capable of protecting lives and strengthening bilateral relations.
The Federal Government reiterated that although South Africa possesses the sovereign authority to regulate immigration and prosecute criminal offences, such powers must be exercised in accordance with international human rights standards and should never provide cover for attacks on innocent foreign nationals.
Monday’s meeting comes amid renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa, with both countries expected to continue diplomatic engagements aimed at preventing further violence and preserving their longstanding relationship.