Nigeria urges South Africa to act as talks seek to calm xenophobic tensions

Nigeria has urged South Africa to do more to prevent xenophobic attacks on African migrants as senior delegations from both countries met this week in talks described by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) as “candid, constructive, and forward-looking.”

What prompted the talks

The meetings followed a series of incidents in which foreign nationals were attacked and foreign-owned shops looted over recent months, incidents that have been linked in public debate to frustration over crime and unemployment. Nigeria completed a voluntary repatriation programme last Thursday, with the final flight carrying 305 returnees from Johannesburg. In total, nearly 1 490 citizens were returned to Nigeria.

Issues raised by Nigeria

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola led the South African delegation to Abuja for the talks. Lamola’s spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said the minister outlined three specific areas of concern:

• The purported installation of an unrecognised traditional ruler, titled an ‘Igbo King’, in the Eastern Cape in March 2026.
• The involvement of certain foreign nationals, including Nigerian citizens, in organised crime, illicit drug trafficking, and financial fraud; Phiri said that as of 7 July 2026, more than 500 Nigerian nationals had been processed through the South African criminal justice system for various offences.
• Violent resistance or obstruction faced by law enforcement during criminal investigations, and the hijacking of residential and commercial properties in urban centres such as Hillbrow (Johannesburg) and Sunnyside (Pretoria), which have created unlawful enclaves and compromised public safety.

Responses and agreements

Phiri said the Nigerian delegation acknowledged the need to hold lawbreakers accountable while stressing the importance of ensuring constitutional due process, fair trial standards, and humane treatment for all detainees. He added that both delegations agreed on the urgent need to de-escalate inflammatory rhetoric in public discourse and to prevent hostile actions.

On xenophobia

Lamola emphasised that the South African government unequivocally condemns all forms of xenophobia, racism, discrimination, and related intolerance. He said:

“While South Africa will not tolerate criminal activity by any individual regardless of nationality, we equally will not permit vigilante action or xenophobic violence against foreign nationals residing in our country. To this end, arrests have taken place, and relevant investigations are still underway.”

Path forward

Both sides reaffirmed that shared migration and public safety challenges are best solved through formal diplomatic channels, institutional security partnerships, and strict adherence to constitutional rights. Phiri said the governments reiterated that bilateral diplomacy and Pan-African solidarity remain essential frameworks to ensure peaceful coexistence, safeguard human rights, and deepen historical ties between South Africa and Nigeria.