Abayomi Susan
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to immediately review Nigeria’s bilateral relations with South Africa in response to the recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals living in the country.
The lawmakers urged the government to reassess key areas of cooperation with South Africa and, where necessary, suspend aspects of the bilateral relationship. They also recommended strengthening consular support, legal assistance, emergency evacuation mechanisms, and reintegration programmes for Nigerians affected by the attacks.
In addition, the House called for intensified diplomatic engagement with the South African government while urging Nigeria to formally involve the African Union (AU), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the United Nations (UN), and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in addressing the safety and protection of African nationals residing in South Africa.
The lawmakers further directed the Federal Government to summon the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria to provide a detailed explanation over the recent killings of Nigerians and clarify the South African government’s official position on safeguarding Nigerian citizens and other African migrants within its borders.
They also demanded an independent, transparent, impartial, and internationally monitored investigation into the deaths of the affected Nigerians and other African victims, insisting that those responsible must be identified and brought to justice.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Yusuf Gagdi and Billy Osawaru on the persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans living in South Africa.
Presenting the motion, Gagdi said South Africa has experienced repeated waves of xenophobic violence over the years, with Nigerians and other African nationals bearing the brunt of the attacks. According to him, the violence has resulted in the loss of innocent lives, destruction of businesses, unlawful arrests, forced displacement, and widespread fear among foreign residents.
He noted that recent reports indicate a fresh wave of attacks targeting Nigerians, Ghanaians, Zimbabweans, Zambians, Mozambicans, Malawians, and other African nationals legally residing in South Africa.
Gagdi informed the House that the Federal Government had confirmed the deaths of two Nigerian citizens, including one who reportedly died while in South African police custody and another who was allegedly murdered in front of his business premises.
Describing the incidents as deeply disturbing, the lawmaker said they once again exposed Nigerians and other African nationals to serious danger despite years of diplomatic engagements between both countries.
He expressed concern that xenophobic violence in South Africa has become persistent, organised, and increasingly deadly, adding that repeated assurances by the South African government to protect foreign nationals have failed to halt the attacks.
According to him, the continued loss of innocent lives, coupled with the failure to prosecute perpetrators, has created a climate of impunity that encourages further violence.
Gagdi also condemned what he described as inflammatory and hateful public remarks allegedly made by a South African government minister, warning that such statements could incite hostility against Nigerians and other African nationals while worsening an already fragile security situation.
He stressed that the recurring attacks undermine the principles of African unity, Pan-Africanism, regional integration, and peaceful coexistence upon which the African Union was founded.
Calling for decisive action, Gagdi warned that continued inaction could embolden perpetrators, weaken confidence in regional institutions established to protect African citizens, and negatively affect diplomatic relations, economic cooperation, and continental integration.
He further argued that the persistent killing of Nigerians abroad, particularly in South Africa, without adequate accountability undermines confidence in the collective commitment of African nations to uphold human rights, justice, and the rule of law.
Contributing to the debate, Billy Osawaru accused South African security agencies of failing to protect Nigerians, alleging that they bear responsibility for the repeated attacks. He argued that despite sustained diplomatic engagements by Nigeria, South Africa has continued to disregard its responsibility to ensure the safety of Nigerian citizens.
Osawaru urged the Federal Government to adopt a firmer diplomatic position, insisting that Nigeria should no longer appear weak in defending the interests of its citizens. He also proposed an amendment calling for Nigeria to sever diplomatic relations with South Africa.
Also contributing, Kayode Moshood noted that Nigeria played a significant role in supporting South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, saying the enormous resources committed to that cause could have been channelled into the country’s own development.
Similarly, Okey-Joe Onuakalusi urged the Federal Government to respond more decisively to countries that fail to protect Nigerian citizens, proposing that the names of Nigerians killed in South Africa be compiled and presented before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
However, when Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu put Osawaru’s proposal to cut diplomatic ties with South Africa to a voice vote, the House rejected the amendment.
Kalu maintained that although Nigeria possesses the capacity to respond more forcefully, the country would continue to pursue diplomatic channels in addressing the recurring attacks and protecting the interests of its citizens.
