Falana Asks Nigeria, Ghana To Sue South Africa Over Xenophobic Attacks

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has asked Nigeria and Ghana to take South Africa before the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights over renewed attacks on African migrants.

Falana said the court, not the African Union, is the body that can order compensation and other remedies for victims who lost businesses, property and investments during xenophobic attacks.

His call follows South Africa’s reported rejection of Nigeria’s request for compensation for citizens affected by the attacks. Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, had earlier said officials were documenting abandoned businesses and property.

Falana criticised the reported refusal to compensate victims, saying the South African government had shown “sheer insensitivity”. He argued that Nigeria and Ghana should pursue a legal route that can produce enforceable orders rather than only filing a political complaint.

The lawyer also said the case should test the rights protections available to Africans who live and work outside their home countries, especially where violence forces them to leave behind property or livelihoods.

Source: Punch