Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has declared that the Federal Government will not remain silent over the alleged harassment, humiliation and extra-judicial killings of Nigerians in South Africa amid renewed xenophobic tensions.
In a statement shared on her X handle on Thursday, the minister disclosed that she held a telephone conversation with South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ronald Lamola, over the recent anti-migrant protests and rising anti-foreigner sentiments in some parts of the country.
According to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Federal Government’s immediate concern is the evacuation of Nigerians willing to return home following fears sparked by the protests, including the latest demonstration held in Durban on May 6.
She said Nigeria raised serious concerns over attacks targeting Nigerians and urged South African authorities to ensure that perpetrators of extra-judicial killings are brought to justice.
“I maintained that our Government cannot stand by and watch the systematic harrasment and humiliation of our nationals resident in SA as well as the extra-judicial killings of our people, and that the evacuation of our citizens who want to return home remains our Government’s priority at this time,” she wrote.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that although the Durban protest did not degenerate into violence due to the heavy presence of security operatives, Nigerians were advised by the Nigerian mission to shut their shops and remain indoors for safety reasons.
She also condemned what she described as the “violent and indiscriminate rhetoric” of anti-foreigner political groups in South Africa, warning that such actions could threaten the lives and property of Nigerians and other foreign nationals, while also putting South African interests in Nigeria at risk.
“Yesterday’s protests in Durban did not record acts of violence as there was heavy security presence. However Nigerians were advised to close their shops and businesses and stay largely indoors by Mission,” Ojukwu added.
“Our discussions also centered on the violent and indiscriminate rhetoric and actions of South Africa’s anti-foreigner political parties which puts the lives and properties of Nigerian and other Nationals at risk, but which conversely might also have the effect jeopardizing the safety of South African interests in Nigeria. Nigerians have exercised, and continue to demonstrate commendable restraint, in their response to the ongoing crisis.”
The minister further revealed that Nigerian children, including those born to Nigerian and South African parents, popularly referred to as “Sougerians”, were allegedly being bullied in schools and asked to “return to their country,” a development she described as traumatic and unacceptable.
She said Lamola acknowledged the responsibility of South African authorities to protect the affected children and assured that education supervisory bodies were taking steps to discourage such behaviour.
“Hon. Lamola informed that the SA authorities recognise that they have a responsibility to protect these innocent children and doing their utmost through education supervisory bodies to discourage these practices,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, however, questioned whether the attacks should be classified as “Afriphobia” rather than xenophobia, arguing that black African foreigners appeared to be the major targets.
She also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had directed Nigerian missions in South Africa to immediately establish a crisis notification unit for distressed citizens, while urging Nigerians facing threats to first contact South African security agencies.
