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As a result of the recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, the Senate has mandated its Committee on Foreign Affairs to investigate the incidents. The violent attacks came on the heels of the June 30 deadline issued by South African anti-migrant groups to foreigners to leave the country. The Senate directed that the committee should submit its findings within two weeks.
It directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to compile a verified register of affected Nigerians to pursue compensation and restitution. It also urged the federal government to secure written guarantees from the South African government to ensure the safety of Nigerians and their businesses in that country. This resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong.
The lawmakers noted with grave concern that the expiration of the deadline resulted in rampant violence, displacement and the looting of businesses owned by foreigners. The hostile climate in South Africa did not also exempt documented African migrants with residence and work permits. Many have been profiled unlawfully and evicted from their apartments and harassed by vigilance groups and jobless people under the guise of protests.
The Senate also warned that Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to African unity, solidarity and diplomacy should not be taken for granted or be regarded as a sign of weakness. The lawmakers were unequivocal in highlighting Nigeria’s immense financial, diplomatic and material contributions to the liberation struggle during the dark days of South Africa’s apartheid regime. Nigeria also hosted the 1977 World Conference for Action against Apartheid and campaigned for the release of Nelson Mandela. The former South African leader acknowledged the gesture during his official visit to Nigeria after his release from prison.
The Senate’s directive is quite commendable. It is good that the lawmakers have spoken against the atrocities perpetrated against Nigerians in South Africa, which, unfortunately, led to loss of lives and businesses. It is regrettable that the authorities in South Africa have pointed out that there would be no compensation to Nigerians for the loss of businesses arising from the xenophobic violence.
The Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshaveni, said the South African government held no responsibility for the losses of Nigerian nationals who abandoned businesses and property to flee anti-immigrant tensions or those who left voluntarily. She also said owners of legally registered property were still free to sell or manage their assets in South Africa.
Nevertheless, the federal government should review our relationship with South Africa and ensure the protection of our nationals in that country and their businesses, in line with existing bilateral agreement. If South Africans in Nigeria are allowed to go about their normal businesses without molestation, it behooves on the South African government to reciprocate the gesture. South African businesses flourish in Nigeria without let or hindrance.
It is time we made Nigeria the centrepiece of our foreign policy. The maltreatment of Nigerians and the destruction of their businesses should no longer be tolerated. The federal government should protect Nigerian citizens wherever they may be and ensure that they are treated with respect and dignity. What happened in South Africa must never be allowed to recur.
All matters relating to undocumented foreigners should be handled through official channels and not by unruly groups or mobs. The lawlessness exhibited in forcing Nigerians to leave South Africa was barbaric and unwarranted. It is a dent on African unity and brotherhood. It may even affect the African Free Trade Agreement.
President Bola Tinubu and his South African counterpart should meet and discuss how to resolve some of the lingering issues between the two countries.
In all, we condemn the destruction and looting of Nigerian businesses and killing of Nigerians in South Africa. There should be adequate compensation for the loss of businesses. Let the South African government learn how to use lawful channels to deal with immigration matters, especially those involving Nigerians and citizens of other African countries.
In the spirit of African unity, Africans should be free to live lawfully in any country on the continent without being molested or forced to leave. There is no country in the world where vigilantes are allowed to perform the duties of the police and immigration officials as recently witnessed in South Africa. Going forward, the federal government should strengthen its relationship with South Africa and map out seamless systems of resolving immigration matters.
