Nigeria Summons South Africa’s Envoy Over Xenophobic Incidents

International Desk |
Nigeria has summoned South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner to a formal meeting at its foreign ministry, signaling growing diplomatic tensions over a wave of anti-African migrant protests sweeping across South Africa.
The diplomatic summons comes amid mounting outrage across the African continent as reports of xenophobic incidents targeting foreign nationals continue to emerge. Nigerian officials are expected to lodge a strong formal protest and demand concrete assurances for the safety of Nigerian citizens residing in South Africa.
The development follows closely on the heels of a similar diplomatic move by Ghana, whose foreign ministry held talks with South Africa’s top envoy in the capital Accra to protest several alleged xenophobic incidents involving Ghanaian nationals.
The back-to-back diplomatic actions by two of West Africa’s most influential nations signal a coordinated regional concern over the treatment of African migrants in South Africa — a country that has long struggled with periodic outbursts of violence targeting foreign nationals, particularly from other African states.
Analysts warn that if South Africa fails to address the concerns of its continental neighbours promptly, the incidents could strain intra-African relations at a time when the continent is pushing for greater unity under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
South Africa’s government has yet to issue an official public response to either summons.