*Says no Nigerian citizen must be attacked in former apartheid country during the protest
*Declares that friendship cannot mean silence when lives of Nigerians are at risk
*As Varsity students threaten to shut down S/Africans’ businesses if xenophobic attacks continue
*Insist that attacks on Nigerians are unacceptable, contrary to principles of African unity
By Palma Ileye
As thousands of South Africans troop out to protest against migrants in the former apartheid country, the Federal Government has issued stern warning against attacks on its citizens before, during and after the protests.
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs, Ademola Oshodi said Nigeria will not tolerate violence against its nationals in South Africa as protests against migrants kick off in that country.
It would be recalled that the protests are organised by anti-migration vigilante groups, including March and March, who set an unofficial June 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa.
Organisers say they are focused on undocumented migrants and will demonstrate peacefully, but lawful migrants have also complained of targeted harassment.
“We are not calling for violence … No one will be killed on 30 June and no looting will take place in our name,” Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, the leader of March and March, said.
It would also be recalled that at least two Nigerians have been killed since the xenophobic protests resurged in South Africa.
“Nigeria has given South Africa enough warning”, Oshodi said in a statement.
“The warning is simple: Nigeria expects action. Investigate every reported attack, protect Nigerian communities, restrain vigilante groups, prosecute wrongdoing, and activate the Nigeria–South Africa Early Warning Mechanism without further delay.
“South Africa has every right to enforce its immigration laws. But that responsibility belongs to the state, through lawful institutions, not to mobs, vigilante groups, or political movements targeting foreign nationals. No African should be attacked, threatened, denied healthcare, pushed out of business, or humiliated because of where they come from.
“Africa cannot speak of unity while Africans remain unsafe in Africa. Coups, xenophobia, weak border cooperation, inherited colonial divisions, and dependence on outside powers continue to pull the continent apart.
“What should bring us together is more urgent: the protection of African lives, democracy that delivers, stronger security cooperation, lawful movement across our continent, and African solutions financed by Africans”, he said.
Speaking further, Oshodi recalled that Nigeria stood with South Africa during its struggle against apartheid, and as such, friendship cannot mean silence when Nigerian lives are at risk.
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa had appealed for peaceful demonstrations warning that protesters involved in criminal conduct would face the law, noting that while the right to protest is protected, it does not extend to acts of violence.
Meanwhile, the National Association of University Students, NAUS has threatened to shut down South Africans’ businesses in Nigeria if their government fails to stop xenophobic attacks.
In response to the xenophobic attacks that have targeted Nigerians and other African nationals, Mr Meshach Nwankwo, speaking at a press briefing condemned the recent attacks, describing them as unacceptable and contrary to the principles of African unity.
The association urged South African authorities to investigate allegations of violence, intimidation, and hate speech against Nigerians living in the country.
“The National Association of University Students unequivocally condemns every act of xenophobia, hate speech, and violence directed against Nigerians, and indeed, against any African living lawfully within another African nation.
“Our strength in Africa lies in unity, mutual respect, and shared prosperity. There is absolutely no place for hatred or violence amongst brothers and sisters on our continent”, Nwankwo stated.
The students also urged the South African High Commission in Nigeria to provide credible assurances regarding the safety and protection of Nigerians living in South Africa, and issued a seven-day ultimatum to implement what it described as decisive and lasting measures to address the situation.
“Should these concerns remain inadequately addressed within one week from this press statement, we reserve the constitutional rights to mobilise peaceful and lawful advocacy, including peaceful demonstrations and other democratic engagements in defence of the dignity and safety of Nigerian students and citizens”, he added.
