from EMEKA OKONKWO in Abuja, Nigeria
Nigeria Bureau
ABUJA, (CAJ News) – AMID the alleged killing of more Nigerians in renewed xenophobic attacks, the government’s suspension of visits by government officials to South Africa and its boycott of South African-organised activities and engagements, relations between the two countries have hit rock bottom.
This has widened the decades-long rift between these nations, which are widely recognised as the primary economic and political powerhouses of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s High Commissioner-designate to South Africa (with concurrent accreditation to Eswatini and Lesotho), reported the murder of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle by unknown assailants in Johannesburg on September 4.
Kayode alleged that, after issuing a series of threats, his killers went to his home and shot him dead.
He also reported the murder of one James Uchechukwu Nwankwo by officers of the South African Police Service in Johannesburg on September 5.
His death is said to have resulted from what has been described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” by the police.
Kayode said the two were the seventh and eighth Nigerians to have been murdered in South Africa this year alone. No fewer than four were allegedly murdered by South African police officers.
Outside of that, according to the former minister, over 100 Nigerian nationals have been murdered in South Africa between 2022 and the present.
Kayode alleged that more than 30 of the victims were killed by officers of the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force.
“What is most disturbing is the fact that in spite of our constant expressions of concern about this disturbing state of affairs, not one person has been arrested, detained, prosecuted or brought to justice for any of these heinous crimes.”
Kayode hinted at Nigeria severing ties with South Africa if the attacks persist.
“Whilst we seek to establish stronger and deeper ties with the South African government, one thing remains clear,” he said.
“If this vicious cycle of discrimination against and killing of our nationals does not stop, there will be consequences. Simply put, our patience is wearing thin.”
Kayode denounced a new so-called deadline of September 30 set by anti-migrant groups for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.
Subsequently, the National Assembly, Nigeria’s legislative arm of government, announced the decision to suspend all official visits to South Africa and boycott South African-hosted or organised legislative activities and engagements “until further notice”.
Kamoru Ogunlana, Clerk to the National Assembly, said of particular concern was the persistence of these incidents despite repeated appeals by Nigeria and other stakeholders to the South African authorities to take decisive measures to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and bring perpetrators of xenophobic violence to justice.
Akin Rotimi Jr., spokesman for the House of Representatives, said Nigeria valued its longstanding relationship with South Africa and remained committed to constructive diplomatic and parliamentary engagement. “However, the safety, dignity, welfare and legitimate interests of Nigerian citizens must be respected and protected,” he said.
Osinachi Eze, an advocate for good governance, said, “We expect nothing less. Nigeria should have cut ties with South Africa a long time ago.”
She claimed, “Nigeria does not need South Africa for anything. If anything, South Africa should be more worried about losing Nigeria than Nigeria losing South Africa.”
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, revealed that the Group of Nigerian Professionals Johannesburg (GNPJ) had in recent days assisted with the repatriation of stranded and destitute nationals who were unable to join the last government-sponsored evacuation flight out of South Africa.
The group comprised 12 individuals, including two children.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in conjunction with our Embassy in Pretoria and our Consulate in Johannesburg, remains firmly committed to supporting and coordinating the safe, orderly and dignified repatriation of the remaining stranded and destitute Nigerians in South Africa,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
Auta Ibrahim, a political expert, commented in an interview with CAJ News Africa in Abuja.
“The latest developments underscore that while diplomatic relations have not been cut off, they are undergoing a severe legislative and political freeze,” he said.
He said the two countries relied on each other to drive African integration forward.
“It is a relationship that cannot break up, but currently struggles to get along,” the expert said.
At the end of August, Nigeria formally reported the attacks against African nationals in South Africa to the African Union (AU). President Bola Tinubu’s government raised the issue at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU in Angola.
Nigeria is advocating that the situation in South Africa be placed on the agenda for the 40th Ordinary Session of the Assembly in January 2027.
South Africa had not formally responded.
– CAJ News