ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu declined to receive a special envoy from South Africa on Monday, in a move that underscores rising diplomatic tension over renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.
The South African delegation, led by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, was instead received by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, who conveyed Abuja’s strong condemnation of the violence.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had asked us to meet with you and exchange views… on how to address and resolve the ongoing Afrophobic attacks in South Africa,” Enikanolaiye said during the meeting.
Presidency sources said the delegation had sought direct talks with Tinubu after arriving in Abuja with a message from President Cyril Ramaphosa, but the request was declined amid continuing attacks on Nigerians and their businesses.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who is currently attending an African Union meeting in Addis Ababa, was said to have advised against a presidential meeting at this time.
At the talks, Nigeria pressed South Africa to take “urgent and concrete steps” to end the violence, warning that repeated attacks on Nigerians risk undermining long-standing bilateral ties.
Enikanolaiye described the attacks as part of a persistent pattern spanning decades.
“We have seen a pattern emerge as early as 1995… up to 2026. From 2022 alone, 98 Nigerians have died in mob actions and hate-related attacks,” he said.
He stressed that while Nigeria does not condone criminality, suspects must be handled through legal processes.
“The Nigerian government will not support drug peddlers, but anyone accused of an offence should be treated in accordance with your constitution and international human rights standards,” he said.
The minister also raised concerns over reports of inaction by security agencies during mob attacks, warning that such incidents raise questions of state responsibility.
Nigeria has evacuated nearly 1,500 citizens from South Africa in previous waves of violence, while more than 1,000 Nigerians recently registered for evacuation following fresh attacks in April.
In response, Lamola said President Ramaphosa remains opposed to xenophobia and all forms of intolerance.
“We have been outspoken against any intolerance, including xenophobia… and discrimination directed at individuals within our borders,” he said.
He added that South Africa would continue to enforce its immigration laws and address criminal activity within its borders.
Relations between Africa’s two largest economies have deteriorated in recent weeks, with Nigeria’s National Assembly calling for retaliatory measures, including restrictions on South African businesses operating in the country.
Despite the tensions, both sides signalled willingness to continue dialogue, though the latest developments highlight growing strain in a relationship long seen as central to continental diplomacy.
