THE Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reportedly declining to receive a special envoy dispatched by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, describing the decision, if confirmed, as an appropriate and timely diplomatic response to the continuing attacks, intimidation and destruction of the livelihoods of Nigerians in South Africa.
HURIWA says Nigeria must no longer treat recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against its citizens as isolated incidents requiring only expressions of concern and periodic evacuation.
The rights group believes that the reported decision by President Tinubu to withhold an audience from the South African envoy sends an important message that Nigeria expects concrete action, accountability and restitution, rather than diplomatic explanations, whenever the lives, properties and livelihoods of Nigerians are threatened.
HURIWA therefore urges the Federal Government to make payment of compensation to Nigerians whose businesses, homes and other properties have been destroyed during xenophobic attacks in South Africa a central condition of further diplomatic engagement.
The Federal Government itself has confirmed that it has evacuated 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa following xenophobic attacks and related security concerns. This figure represents not merely a diplomatic statistic but thousands of disrupted lives, families, businesses and livelihoods.
It is therefore unacceptable for Nigerian victims to bear the economic consequences of violence directed at them while diplomatic relations and commercial interests continue as though nothing happened.
SOUTH AFRICA MUST PAY FOR THE DAMAGE
HURIWA calls on the Federal Government to demand that South Africa establish, in conjunction with Nigeria, a Victims Compensation and Restitution Framework to identify Nigerians who suffered losses during xenophobic attacks, assess their claims and ensure appropriate compensation.
The Nigerian Government should also insist on:
A transparent investigation into reported killings and attacks against Nigerians, including the reported death of Nigerian national Chika Ibe, with the perpetrators brought to justice if the allegations are established.
Full implementation and ratification of the Nigeria-South Africa Early Warning Mechanism, including effective rapid-response channels for preventing attacks and protecting foreign nationals.
A joint Nigeria-South Africa compensation mechanism for verified losses suffered by Nigerians during xenophobic violence.
Guaranteed protection of Nigerian-owned businesses and properties, with South African authorities held responsible for failures to provide reasonable protection where negligence or complicity is established.
Regular diplomatic reporting on investigations, prosecutions and measures taken by South Africa to prevent further attacks.
A clear commitment by Pretoria to zero tolerance for xenophobia and Afrophobia, including against Nigerians and other African nationals.
An independent mechanism for receiving and investigating complaints from Nigerians in South Africa, with access to both Nigerian consular officials and South African authorities.
NIGERIA MUST TAKE THE MATTER TO THE AFRICAN UNION
HURIWA particularly welcomes Vice President Kashim Shettima’s intervention at the 69th ECOWAS Summit in Sierra Leone, where Nigeria called for a united African response to Afrophobic attacks and urged continental action against xenophobia. The Federal Government has also said Nigeria intends to engage regional and continental institutions on the issue.
We urge President Tinubu to transform that position into a concrete diplomatic initiative at the African Union.
Nigeria should table the following demands before the AU:
First, the AU should adopt a continent-wide declaration condemning xenophobia, Afrophobia and organised attacks against African nationals living in other African countries.
Second, the AU should establish a Continental Framework for the Protection of African Migrants, requiring member states to protect the lives, dignity, businesses and property of African nationals residing within their territories.
Third, the AU should establish a Continental Early Warning and Rapid Response Mechanism on Xenophobia, enabling governments to share intelligence and intervene before anti-foreigner rhetoric develops into violence.
Fourth, the AU should develop a framework requiring member states to investigate attacks against African nationals and prosecute perpetrators without discrimination based on nationality.
Fifth, the AU should establish a mechanism for restitution and compensation for victims of xenophobic attacks, particularly where property and businesses have been destroyed or where state authorities have failed to provide adequate protection.
Sixth, the AU should create an annual African Migrants’ Rights Report, documenting xenophobic incidents, government responses, prosecutions, compensation and preventive measures across member states.
Seventh, the AU should develop a continental protocol against political and public rhetoric that incites hatred, violence or collective punishment against African migrants.
Eighth, member states that repeatedly fail to protect African nationals from organised xenophobic violence should face appropriate diplomatic and institutional consequences under AU mechanisms, subject to due process and established continental rules.
SOUTH AFRICA MUST REMEMBER NIGERIA’S ROLE
HURIWA also urges the Federal Government to remind South Africa that Nigeria’s historic support for the anti-apartheid struggle was not an empty gesture.
Nigeria made sacrifices in support of the liberation of Southern Africa, and the two countries have historically enjoyed strong political, economic and diplomatic relations.
That history does not give Nigerians a licence to violate South African laws, just as South Africa’s legitimate concerns about immigration cannot justify collective punishment, mob violence, discrimination or the destruction of the property of law-abiding African nationals.
NO MORE DIPLOMACY WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY
HURIWA believes that Nigeria must pursue a balanced foreign policy that protects its citizens while maintaining respect for the sovereignty of other African states.
We therefore commend the Federal Government for the reported firmness of its present position and urge President Tinubu to sustain it.
If the report that President Tinubu declined to receive the South African envoy is confirmed, HURIWA considers the action a significant assertion of Nigeria’s diplomatic dignity.
Sending a high-ranking delegation to Abuja cannot substitute for concrete commitments from Pretoria.
South Africa must demonstrate, through actions and not merely diplomatic assurances, that the lives, businesses and dignity of Nigerians are protected on its territory.
HURIWA further calls on the Federal Government to ensure that the issue does not end with the current diplomatic exchange. Nigeria must pursue justice for victims, compensation for verified losses, prosecution of perpetrators, protection of Nigerians and a binding continental framework against xenophobia.
Nigeria must lead Africa in making it clear that an African country cannot preach African unity while African nationals are attacked, displaced and deprived of their livelihoods on its soil.
