Shettima urges ECOWAS to confront xenophobic attacks in S’Africa

•Nigerian students funded country’s freedom from apartheid

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has called on West African leaders to adopt a united stance against the resurgence of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, urging the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to place the issue on the agenda of the next African Union (AU) summit.

Speaking at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Shettima reminded South Africa of the sacrifices made by African countries, particularly Nigeria and Ghana, during the struggle against apartheid.

The Vice-President recalled that generations of Nigerians contributed financially to the liberation of Southern Africa through deductions from students’ scholarship allowances, stressing that fellow Africans should not now be subjected to violence and discrimination.

“While we tread the path of moderation, South Africa should be reminded that the freedom the country currently enjoys is due to the liberation efforts of African countries such as Nigeria and Ghana.

“Deductions were made from our scholarship allowances to fund liberation movements in Southern Africa. They should learn to know where their problem lies. Their problems do not lie with fellow Africans who are there to sell their skills,”

he said

He urged ECOWAS leaders to speak with one voice against xenophobia, arguing that violence targeting African migrants has no place on the continent and requires a coordinated regional response.

According to him, the African Union must also take a firm position to safeguard the rights and safety of Africans living and working across member states.

His remarks came amid heightened diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and South Africa following renewed attacks on African migrants, which have reportedly claimed the lives of several Nigerians in recent months. The Federal Government has repeatedly condemned the killings and demanded justice for affected citizens, while warning that stronger diplomatic measures could be considered if the attacks persist.

The Vice-President maintained that migrants should not be blamed for South Africa’s socio-economic challenges, noting that many African professionals and workers contribute positively to the country’s economy through their skills and expertise.

His comments reinforce Nigeria’s increasingly vocal criticism of Pretoria since anti-migrant violence escalated earlier this year.

Earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, also reminded South Africa of Nigeria’s historic support for the anti-apartheid movement, saying the country committed enormous financial and material resources to the liberation struggle.

“Nigeria sacrificed quite a lot, committed funds, committed resources to aid South Africa. In schools, seats were reserved for South African students. My own generation carried placards; we demonstrated in front of South African assets. Sometimes we even got arrested for doing this,” she had said.

The minister expressed concern that black African migrants appeared to be the primary targets of the attacks.

“They are not asking other migrants to leave; they’re only asking black migrants to leave,” she stated.

The renewed diplomatic pressure follows a fresh wave of anti-migrant protests in South Africa that reportedly left at least four Nigerians dead.

In response to the worsening security situation, the Federal Government evacuated 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa in seven batches after rights groups issued an unofficial deadline urging migrants to leave the country.

While Nigeria has continued diplomatic engagement with South Africa, Abuja has maintained that all options, including stronger retaliatory measures, remain under consideration should attacks on Nigerians continue.