The Nigerian Government says it will prioritise diplomacy in responding to the recent Afrophobic attacks in South Africa while maintaining that it is not without other options to protect the lives and interests of Nigerians.
It affirmed that diplomatic engagement and constructive dialogue remain its preferred strategy, even as it retains additional measures should the need arise.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye, disclosed this after briefing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his meeting with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, who visited Nigeria as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s special envoy following the attacks.
According to the Minister, President Tinubu endorsed the government’s diplomatic approach, stressing continued engagement with South Africa while affirming that Nigeria would explore other options if negotiations fail to protect Nigerians.
“I reported to the President, as I told the envoy yesterday, that Nigeria has options, and the President agrees with me. There are options. We are not helpless in this situation.
“All options are still on the table. We will prefer diplomacy and negotiations to continue until we can arrive at a mutually acceptable outcome that will protect Nigerian citizens, their lives and property in South Africa,” Enikanolaye said.
He emphasised that every Nigerian, irrespective of immigration status, is entitled to the protection of the law, maintaining that the right to life is a fundamental human right that must be guaranteed without exception.
“Whether they are regular or irregular, they are human beings, and we made that very clear. Criminals also have a right to life. You cannot say because they are criminals and begin to hound and kill them. We made that very clear, and South Africa agreed with that position,” he said.
Enikanolaye said he had briefed President Tinubu on the assignment to receive and engage the South African envoy following Monday’s directive.
He disclosed that the meeting produced key commitments to deepen bilateral cooperation, including the immediate activation of the Nigeria-South Africa Early Warning Mechanism and the Bi-National Commission to address the crisis more effectively.
“I gave the President specific details of the commitments we were able to secure from the South Africans, including the need to quickly activate the Early Warning Mechanism, which Mr President mentioned specifically, as well as the Bi-National Commission between our two countries,” the Minister said.
Enikanolaye also updated the President on the evacuation of Nigerians affected by the attacks, disclosing that about 1,490 citizens had so far been repatriated.
He thanked President Tinubu for approving the intervention, noting that two evacuation batches were funded by private individuals, while efforts were underway to secure additional resources for those still seeking to return home.
Claims Document
On compensation for properties lost during the attacks, Enikanolaye said the matter would be addressed through ongoing engagements with the South African government, disclosing that Nigeria had introduced a claims process to document verified losses and support negotiations.
He said; “We have designed a form to be filled by all Nigerians who may have lost property in South Africa because we want to proceed on the basis of data and the actual contour of losses they have suffered.
“Our engagement with South Africa is ongoing. It is not a one-off event. Yesterday was a continuation, and we intend to continue meeting. We will then table those claims and explore options for compensation.”
The Minister further stated that he also informed President Tinubu that Nigeria differed with South Africa’s characterisation of the violence, maintaining that the attacks were specifically directed at fellow Africans. He stated that the President agreed the incidents were more accurately described as Afrophobic attacks rather than xenophobic violence.
Enikanolaye noted that President Tinubu believes African nations must work collectively to end the recurring attacks on Africans in South Africa.
He added that the President’s cordial relationship with President Cyril Ramaphosa would be leveraged to pursue a lasting diplomatic solution to the killings and destruction of property.
