The Federal Government has stated that any retaliatory measures Nigeria may adopt against South Africa over the continued harassment and attacks on Nigerians and other African migrants fall within the constitutional responsibilities of the National Assembly.
Minister’s Statement on Retaliation
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made this known during an interview on TVC. She explained that while the executive arm of government is currently engaging South African authorities through diplomatic channels, lawmakers may have a role to play if the situation persists. According to her, “The lawmakers have a role to play in this.”
The minister stressed that Nigeria has so far exercised restraint despite growing concerns over the treatment of Nigerians living in South Africa. “When it comes to situations like this, of course, it is necessary to be temperate and exercise caution,” she said.
Concerns Over Harassment
“But when your citizens are being harassed, when your citizens are people who have spent years there, and mind you, some of them are married to South Africans and have children who have known no other home but South Africa, then it becomes a serious concern.” She further alleged that some Nigerians, including those married to South Africans, are being pressured to leave the country.
“Under these circumstances, they are asking not just Nigerians, but also their South African spouses and their children, to leave South Africa,” she said.
Comparison With South African Businesses in Nigeria
Odumegwu-Ojukwu contrasted the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa with the business environment enjoyed by South African companies operating in Nigeria. “There are over 120 South African companies operating in Nigeria. Nobody is asking them to provide proof of identity. Nobody is asking South African staff working there whether they are South Africans or Nigerians, and nobody is taking over their shops or businesses. But this is happening to Nigerians in South Africa. So, I think that at some point, we really have to review the options available to us.”
The minister highlighted major South African companies operating in Nigeria, including MTN, MultiChoice, Stanbic and Protea, while warning that continued attacks on migrants are damaging South Africa’s international image.
Reputational Damage
“It is causing reputational damage, and that is quite sad because the late Madiba, Nelson Mandela, God rest his soul, worked so hard to project South Africa as a bastion of Pan-Africanism,” she said. “And in one fell swoop, these anti-migrant vigilante groups have destroyed what this man sacrificed 28 years in prison for.”
She added that the consequences of the attacks are already being felt internationally. “Even within South Africa itself, people are cancelling concerts, and conferences are being called off. South Africa has been stained with the stigma of being a xenophobic country. This is not something I think they will be comfortable with in the long run.”
The minister criticised the South African government’s handling of the situation, saying its response has been inadequate despite reports of violence against migrants.
Wave of Xenophobic Attacks
The latest wave of xenophobic attacks has reportedly affected migrants from several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Vigilante groups have allegedly targeted foreign nationals by looting businesses, attacking homes and forcing migrants to leave certain communities. Some victims have reportedly been killed during the attacks.
Nigerians Imprisoned in Ethiopia
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also addressed the issue of 98 Nigerians currently imprisoned in Ethiopia. She said the prisoners, who come from different parts of Nigeria, are expected to be transferred back home under an existing bilateral agreement between both countries. “Criminality has no ethnicity or tribe,” she said, noting that the inmates include individuals from the South-East, South-South and South-West regions.
According to the minister, arrangements are underway for the prisoners to return to Nigeria to complete their jail terms in line with the agreement between the two countries.
