Nigeria Demands African Union Action Over Attacks On Citizens In South Africa
Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 69th ECOWAS Ordinary Session in Sierra Leone
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Nigeria has formally asked ECOWAS to present a united front and drag South Africa before the African Union.
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The diplomatic showdown follows fresh “Afrophobic” attacks targeting Nigerian citizens and foreign workers in South Africa.
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The Federal Government revealed it has already evacuated 1,490 stranded Nigerians back home across seven batches.
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West African leaders warn that continued violence threatens continental unity and free trade agreements.
July 20, (THEWILL) — A severe diplomatic row is brewing across the continent as Nigeria takes a firm stand against targeted violence in South Africa.
Speaking at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Freetown, Sierra Leone, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, demanded that West African leaders unite to drag Pretoria before the African Union (AU).
The urgent call for continental action comes on the heels of renewed xenophobic hostilities against African migrants living in South Africa.
Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 69th ECOWAS Ordinary Session in Sierra Leone
Tensions peaked following the recent killings of Nigerian citizens and widespread looting of foreign-owned shops, forcing the Federal Government to step in and evacuate 1,490 affected Nigerians back home in seven separate flights.
“Nigeria condemns in strong terms, the recent Afrophobic attack on its citizens and other fellow Africans in the Republic of South Africa… South Africa should be reminded that the freedom the country currently enjoys is due to the liberation efforts of African countries such as Nigeria.”
West African Leaders Remind Pretoria of Historic Liberation Sacrifices
This coordinated push by Nigeria and Ghana marks a major escalation in regional diplomacy.
Addressing the assembly of West African leaders, Vice President Shettima delivered a sharp historical reminder to the Cyril Ramaphosa-led administration, pointing out that South Africa’s current democratic freedom was paid for by the sacrifices of frontline African nations.
Historically, Nigeria spent billions of dollars and provided massive diplomatic and material backing to help end Apartheid in South Africa.
Nigerian officials also argue that allowing unchecked violence against fellow Africans betrays the fundamental spirit of pan-African unity and undermines major continental projects like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“This would send a clear message that this type of intolerance is totally unacceptable under any guise. South Africa should be reminded that the freedom it currently enjoys is the result of the sacrifices and liberation efforts of African countries, including Nigeria,” he added.
Legal Actions and Retaliatory Measures On the Table
The Federal Government’s push at ECOWAS is only one part of a broader strategy to protect its diaspora.
Back in Abuja, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu hinted that Nigeria is actively reviewing potential diplomatic and economic retaliatory measures against South Africa if the host government fails to guarantee the safety of foreign workers.
At the same time, prominent legal experts and civil rights advocates, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana, have publicly advised the Federal Government to institute formal legal proceedings against South Africa before the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
With the National Assembly also opening an official inquiry into the safety of citizens abroad, West Africa is signaling that the era of quiet diplomacy on xenophobia is officially over.
- Tags
- African Union
- Nigeria
- South Africa
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