Nigeria has summoned South Africa’s ambassador over recent attacks targeting foreign nationals in the country, according to Nigeria’s foreign ministry on Saturday, amid growing regional concern over rising xenophobic violence.
The move comes as South Africa, the continent’s most industrialized economy, continues to attract migrant workers from across Africa, both documented and undocumented. However, high unemployment, estimated at around 30%, has fueled periodic outbreaks of anti-foreigner protests and violence.
Nigeria’s foreign ministry said officials are scheduled to meet the South African ambassador in Abuja on Monday to discuss “documented cases of mistreatment of Nigerian citizens and attacks on their businesses.”
The diplomatic tensions follow similar action taken by Ghana last week, when its foreign ministry also summoned South Africa’s envoy in Accra over what it described as “xenophobic incidents” affecting Ghanaian nationals.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said a Ghanaian resident in South Africa was reportedly told to leave and “fix his own country,” warning that the situation has heightened concern among Ghanaian citizens living in South Africa. He added that some foreigners, including Ghanaians, had been advised to stay indoors for their safety.
South Africa is home to more than three million foreign nationals, representing about 5.1% of the population, according to national statistics authorities. More than 63% of them come from countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a 16-member regional bloc.
South Africa’s acting police minister recently condemned violence against migrants, calling such acts unlawful and a violation of the country’s constitutional values of dignity and equality.
“These acts of xenophobia, violence, looting and intimidation will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” said Feroz Cachalia in a statement, underscoring official efforts to curb attacks on foreign communities.
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