Lawyer Urges Tinubu to Warn South Africa Over Attacks on Nigerians
Aloy Ejimakor, activist lawyer and Special Adviser to IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to issue a strong warning to the South African government after xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians in South Africa. In a statement addressed to 'black South Africans, especially the Zulu,' Ejimakor condemned the recent afrophobic violence, reminding South Africans of the pan-African support that helped end apartheid, noting that Nigerian-hosted leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki once received refuge and financial aid from Nigeria. He warned that any further harm to Nigerians would trigger 'hell to pay' and urged Tinubu to hold Pretoria accountable.
The attacks threaten the safety of thousands of Nigerians living and working in South Africa, disrupt trade and people-to-people ties, and risk escalating diplomatic tensions between Africa's two largest economies. Nigerians in South Africa contribute significantly to sectors such as retail, telecommunications and services, and any outbreak of violence could trigger mass evacuations, loss of livelihoods and a regional backlash.
With South African authorities yet to issue a firm condemnation, Nigerians at home and abroad should monitor travel advisories, consider registering with the Nigerian missions in Pretoria and Johannesburg, and decide whether to maintain, reduce or temporarily relocate their presence until safety guarantees are clear. What steps will you take to protect your interests or those of family members abroad?