FG Threatens AU Action Against South Africa Over Xenophobia

The Federal Government has said it is considering taking the recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa to the African Union, AU, to seek a lasting solution.

According to Vanguard, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, disclosed the plan on Thursday while speaking on Prime Time, an Arise TV programme. He said Africa, as a continent, must recognise the need to do more to protect the lives and property of residents in South Africa.

Enikanolaiye lamented that the recurring attacks on other African nationals were undermining the continent’s solidarity and brotherhood. He said the government would push the matter at multiple levels, including through officials and at the level of the President, to make sure Nigerians were not subjected to that kind of harassment going forward.

The minister’s comments come amid ongoing efforts to evacuate Nigerians from South Africa following recent attacks and protests in areas such as Springs in Gauteng Province. The proposed AU action would be in addition to Nigeria’s ongoing diplomatic and evacuation response.

For Nigerians at home and abroad, the move points to a wider diplomatic shift, with the government now looking at continental-level action instead of relying only on bilateral talks with Pretoria.

Sources: Vanguard