Nigeria-South Africa relations deteriorate amid xenophobic attacks

Diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa have deteriorated significantly following renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerian nationals. Nigeria has suspended official visits to South Africa and is boycotting South African-organized activities in response to the violence.

Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s High Commissioner-designate to South Africa, reported the recent murders of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle by unknown assailants and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo by South African Police Service officers in Johannesburg. These incidents represent the seventh and eighth Nigerian murders in South Africa this year. Fani-Kayode stated that over 100 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa since 2022, alleging that more than 30 of these victims were killed by members of the South African Police Service or the South African Defence Force.

A major point of contention is the lack of legal accountability, with Fani-Kayode noting that “not one person has been arrested, detained, prosecuted or brought to justice” for these crimes. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding deadlines issued by xenophobic non-governmental organizations for foreign nationals to leave the country by September 30. Nigeria has indicated it may sever ties with South Africa if the attacks and lack of protection persist.