Nigeria, South Africa move to mend fences over xenophobic attacks

Following the spate of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa, the governments of South Africa and Nigeria have agreed to nip the situation in the bud.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said in a statement issued in Abuja that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, on 27 July 2026, received South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, in Abuja to discuss recurring attacks on Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa.

Ebienfa also said that, acting on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, Ambassador Enikanolaiye expressed Nigeria’s deep concern over the continued violence, stating that at least 98 Nigerians have been killed since 2022 in mob attacks, hate-related violence, and extrajudicial killings.

“He urged South Africa to strengthen protection for foreign nationals, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and prevent future attacks.

“The minister recalled Nigeria’s support for South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle and stressed that criminal suspects should be prosecuted through due process rather than subjected to mob justice. Reflecting on the recent evacuation of 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa, he described the humanitarian impact as deeply distressing.

“In response, South African Special Envoy Ronald Lamola reaffirmed his government’s opposition to xenophobia, racism, and violence while emphasising South Africa’s right to enforce its immigration laws.

“He also raised concerns about criminal activities involving some Nigerian nationals and called for greater bilateral cooperation to tackle organised crime.

“Lamola informed the Nigerian delegation that arrests had been made in connection with recent attacks on Nigerians and that prosecutions were underway,” Ebienfa said.

Following the interaction, Ebienfa disclosed that both countries agreed to de-escalate inflammatory rhetoric through diplomacy, strengthen security and migration cooperation, accelerate the implementation of the long-delayed Early Warning Mechanism, prepare for the next Nigeria–South Africa Binational Commission meeting, and preserve the longstanding strategic partnership and Pan-African solidarity between the two nations.

Ebienfa also said Ambassador Enikanolaiye is expected to brief President Tinubu on the outcome of the discussions following the meeting.