•House of Representatives
The House of Representatives today called for a stronger diplomatic response to renewed xenophobic attacks and killings of Nigerians in South Africa, urging the federal government to summon the South African High Commissioner to Abuja and reassess bilateral relations until the safety of Nigerians is credibly guaranteed.
The lawmakers’ resolution followed renewed reports of the deaths of two Nigerians in South Africa, including one who allegedly died in police custody and another who was reportedly killed outside his business premises, reports Daily Independent.
The incidents, lawmakers said, underscore the continued vulnerability of Nigerians despite repeated assurances by the South African authorities that foreign nationals would be protected.
The resolutions were adopted after the House considered a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) during today’s plenary.
Leading the debate, Gagdi condemned what he described as recurring xenophobic attacks, extrajudicial killings, unlawful detention and systematic persecution of Nigerians and other African nationals residing in South Africa.
He said recent reports pointed to a fresh wave of attacks targeting Nigerians as well as citizens of Ghana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and other African countries legally living in South Africa.
According to him, the Nigerian government recently confirmed the deaths of two Nigerians, with one reportedly dying in the custody of the South African Police Service and the other allegedly murdered outside his business premises.
He argued that the incidents showed Nigerians remained exposed to violence despite repeated diplomatic assurances from Pretoria.
Recalling Nigeria’s historic support for South Africa’s liberation struggle, Gagdi said successive Nigerian governments invested significant diplomatic, financial and humanitarian resources in the fight against apartheid in the spirit of African solidarity.
“It is therefore profoundly disturbing that Nigerians and other Africans are now facing persecution, humiliation and violent attacks in the very country whose freedom Nigeria helped to secure,” he said.
Arguing that repeated assurances from the South African government had failed to stem the attacks, Gagdi said:
“Xenophobic violence has become recurrent, systematic and increasingly deadly. The repeated attacks have continued despite previous assurances by the Government of South Africa that adequate measures would be taken to guarantee the safety of foreign nationals.
“Innocent Africans continue to lose their lives while criminal perpetrators often escape justice, thereby encouraging impunity.
“The continued attacks undermine the ideals of African unity, Pan-Africanism, regional integration and peaceful coexistence upon which the African Union was founded.”
He warned that failure to decisively address the violence could further endanger the lives and property of Nigerians living in South Africa.
“Continued inaction may embolden perpetrators and weaken confidence in regional institutions established to protect African citizens. These recurring attacks threaten diplomatic relations, economic cooperation and continental integration.
“The continued killing of Nigerians abroad without adequate accountability diminishes confidence in the collective commitment of African States to uphold human rights, justice and the rule of law,” he added.
Supporting the motion, Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo) recalled that the House had adopted a similar motion on May 5, following which the Federal Government facilitated the voluntary evacuation of hundreds of Nigerians from South Africa.
He said about 856 of nearly 1,000 Nigerians who registered for evacuation had already returned to Nigeria, adding that the latest killings suggested South Africa’s security agencies had failed in their responsibility to protect foreign nationals.
“We have engaged diplomatically, but it looks like Nigeria is being undermined. This is no longer a time for endless discussions. Other African countries are already taking decisive steps. Nigeria must also act,” Osawaru said.
He proposed the suspension of political, diplomatic and parliamentary engagements with South Africa, including trade, investment and economic diplomacy, until concrete steps were taken to halt the attacks.
However, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the sitting, advised against taking such a far-reaching step without first establishing the facts.
“We cannot suspend diplomatic relations now until we carry out our investigation and establish the facts,” Kalu said.
Adopting the motion, the House urged the federal government to immediately summon the South African High Commissioner to explain the recent killings and clarify Pretoria’s position on the protection of Nigerian citizens and other African nationals.
The lawmakers also called for a review of bilateral engagements with South Africa and, where necessary, the suspension or recalibration of specific areas of cooperation until credible, measurable and verifiable guarantees are provided for the protection of Nigerians.
They further urged the federal government to demand an independent, transparent, impartial and internationally monitored investigation into the killings of the affected Nigerians and other African victims to ensure that those responsible are identified, prosecuted and punished.
The House also called for stronger engagement with the African Union, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the United Nations and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to strengthen protection for African nationals living in South Africa.
In addition, lawmakers sought enhanced consular services, legal support, emergency evacuation arrangements and reintegration programmes for affected Nigerians, while urging that victims receive appropriate compensation to help them rebuild their lives.
The House thereafter observed a minute’s silence in honour of Nigerians and other African nationals who have lost their lives in xenophobic attacks, underscoring lawmakers’ demand for urgent diplomatic action and stronger protection for citizens living abroad.
