Nigeria, South Africa Hold High-Level Talks Over Xenophobic Attacks
Nigeria and South Africa have commenced high-level diplomatic talks following renewed concerns over recurring xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The meeting, taking place in Abuja, brings together Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, who is in Nigeria as a special envoy of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Speaking at the meeting, Enikanolaiye said President Bola Tinubu directed that the issue be addressed frankly, stressing the need to find lasting solutions to the recurring attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.
The minister called on the South African government to take urgent and concrete measures to halt what Nigeria described as persistent Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.
He warned that the continued violence poses a serious threat to the long-standing diplomatic and economic relationship between Africa’s two largest economies.
Enikanolaiye recalled Nigeria’s historic support for South Africa during the struggle against apartheid and highlighted the close cooperation between both countries in the transformation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) into the African Union (AU), as well as their joint efforts in advancing the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
He also expressed concern over what he described as a disturbing pattern of xenophobic violence, noting that incidents have been recorded since 1995, with subsequent outbreaks in 1998, 2006, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 and most recently in 2026.
The talks are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation and identifying practical measures to protect the lives and property of Nigerians and other African migrants residing in South Africa.
More details to follow.
