Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), has demanded immediate sanctions against South Africa over the persistent, barbaric and unchecked xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals residing in her country.
CDHR in a statement today jointly signed by its national president, Comrade ‘Yinka Folarin and general secretary, Comrade Idris Afees Olayinka, urged the Federal Government to urgently impose diplomatic and economic sanctions against South Africa.
“Sever all unproductive bilateral agreements and relationships with the South African government pending visible and measurable actions against xenophobic violence.
“Recall Nigeria’s diplomatic representatives from South Africa for urgent consultations. Direct that the South African Embassy in Nigeria be shut down with immediate effect until adequate guarantees for the safety of Nigerians are provided.
“We demand the suspension of the operations of South African Airways in Nigeria without delay. Commence a comprehensive review of the operations of South African-linked businesses operating in Nigeria, including but not limited to MTN Group / MTN Nigeria, MultiChoice, DStv, and GOtv, Stanbic IBTC Holdings / Standard Bank Group, Shoprite, PEP Stores, Massmart, South African Breweries-related operations, Protea Hotels, Eskom, LTA Construction, Critical Rescue International, Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce and others.”
CDHR urged the federal government to compel identified South African-linked establishments unwilling to respect reciprocal African solidarity to commence immediate winding up and relocation from Nigeria.
The Committee expressed concern, saying that the continuous bloodletting, brutal assaults, intimidation, destruction of businesses, and targeted killings of fellow Africans by South African mobs have become a disgrace to the conscience of Africa and a direct assault on the ideals of Pan-African solidarity.
“It’s deeply disturbing that despite repeated incidents, condemnations, diplomatic engagements, and promises by the South African authorities, the attacks continue unabated. The silence, inaction, and failure of the government of President Cyril Ramaphosa to decisively prosecute perpetrators and dismantle the structures encouraging xenophobic violence amount to complicity. The Ramaphosa-led administration has, through its body language and persistent inaction, demonstrated tacit approval for hatred, discrimination, and criminal atrocities against fellow Africans.
“CDHR therefore declares unequivocally that the South African government has become a promoter of xenophobia and anti-African violence. No responsible African government should continue to tolerate the systematic humiliation, dehumanization, and killing of its citizens without firm and immediate consequences.
“We also strongly condemn the shameful silence, weak responses, and unacceptable indifference of the leadership and members of the Nigerian National Assembly over the worsening attacks on Nigerians abroad. It’s painful that lawmakers who swore constitutional oaths to defend the lives, dignity, and welfare of Nigerians have continued to treat the repeated killings and persecution of Nigerians in South Africa with disturbing lethargy and casual disregard.
“Their slow, uninspiring, and reactionary posture amounts to a betrayal of the trust reposed in them by the Nigerian people. At a time when Nigerians abroad are living in fear, being hunted, assaulted, and murdered, the National Assembly should have risen with urgency through strong legislative resolutions, diplomatic pressure, public hearings, sanctions advocacy, and decisive national action. Their failure to do so exposes a dangerous disconnect from the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
“History won’t be kind to public officials who remained comfortable in silence while fellow citizens were subjected to humiliation and death outside the shores of Nigeria.
“We therefore demand that the Federal Government of Nigeria immediately prioritise the protection of the lives, dignity, and properties of Nigerians in the Diaspora, particularly those in South Africa. Diplomatic niceties can no longer replace decisive actions while Nigerians are hunted, brutalised, and murdered in foreign lands.”
“CDHR warns that continued silence and weakness from the Nigerian Government will amount to betrayal of Nigerians suffering repeated attacks abroad. Any further failure by the Federal Government to take a bold, pronounced, and patriotic stand may leave the CDHR and other progressive organizations with no alternative than to mobilize Nigerians for lawful mass actions and nationwide picketing of South African-linked establishments operating within Nigeria.
“Nigeria cannot continue to serve as an economic haven for South African interests while Nigerians are treated like disposable slaves and endangered migrants in South Africa.
“African unity must never become a one-sided burden carried only by Nigerians while our citizens are subjected to violence and institutional hostility elsewhere on the continent. The blood of innocent Africans cries out for justice, and the time for decisive action is now.”
