Reps To Executive: Summon South African Envoy, Review Ties Over Xenophobia

House of Representatives has condemned the recurring xenophobic attacks, extrajudicial killings, unlawful detention and systematic persecution of Nigerians and other nationals in South Africa.

It urged the federal government to immediately summon the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the recent killings and clearly communicate the official position of the government of South Africa on the protection of Nigerians and other African nationals.

The House also asked the government to immediately undertake a comprehensive review of bilateral engagements with South Africa and, where necessary, suspend or recalibrate specific areas of bilateral cooperation until credible, measurable and verifiable guarantees are provided for the protection of Nigerians and other African nationals.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, sponsored by Hon. Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) at plenary yesterday.

Gagdi said repeated xenophobic attacks in South Africa had claimed innocent lives, destroyed businesses and forced many Africans to flee their homes despite years of diplomatic engagements between the two countries.

He said recent reports pointed to a fresh escalation of attacks on Nigerians, as well as the citizens of Ghana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and other African countries legally residing in South Africa.

The lawmaker said the federal government recently confirmed the deaths of two Nigerians, including one who reportedly died while in the custody of the South African police and another who was allegedly murdered outside his business premises.

Gagdi said the latest incidents demonstrated that Nigerians remained vulnerable despite repeated assurances from the South African government that foreign nationals would be protected.

He reminded lawmakers that Nigeria played a leading role in the struggle against apartheid by providing diplomatic support, financial assistance and humanitarian aid to South Africa during its liberation struggle.

He expressed worry that failure to decisively address these recurring attacks could further endanger the lives and properties of Nigerians living in South Africa.

In his contribution, the co-sponsor of the motion, Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo), recalled that the House had adopted a similar motion on 5th May, following which the federal government facilitated the voluntary return of hundreds of Nigerians from South Africa.

The lawmaker said about 856 of nearly 1,000 Nigerians who registered for evacuation had  been brought home, adding that the latest killings showed that South Africa’s security agencies had failed in their responsibility to protect foreign nationals.

The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, cautioned against taking such a far-reaching decision without first conducting a proper investigation.

“We cannot suspend diplomatic relations now until we carry out our investigation and establish the facts,” Kalu said.

The House, on adoption of the motion, urged the Executive to demand an independent, transparent, impartial and internationally monitored investigation into the deaths of the affected Nigerians and all other African victims, with a view to ensuring that all perpetrators are identified, prosecuted and punished.

It also asked the federal government to engage the African Union, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the United Nations and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to strengthen protections for African nationals living in South Africa.

The lawmakers further called for stronger consular services, legal support, emergency evacuation arrangements and reintegration programmes for affected Nigerians.

They also resolved that victims should receive appropriate compensation to enable them to rebuild their lives upon returning to Nigeria and observed one minute silence in honour of all Nigerians and other Africans who have lost their lives as victims of xenophobic violence in South Africa.