Nigeria has summoned South Africa’s acting high commissioner to the foreign ministry for talks, citing rising anti-African protests and attacks on migrants.
The diplomatic move follows similar action by Ghana last week, when its foreign ministry met South Africa’s acting high commissioner in Accra to protest a string of alleged xenophobic incidents involving Ghanaian nationals.
South African trucks and citizens could also face disruption at the border with Mozambique, local media reported, after planned protests at the Ressano Garcia crossing in retaliation for recent marches, statements and attacks targeting migrants in South Africa.
South Africa’s police ministry has vowed to pursue anyone who carries out, participates in or incites xenophobic violence against Ghanaians and other foreign nationals. Authorities have repeated that attacks and intimidation will not be tolerated.
Xenophobia has long been a problem in South Africa, and the country has seen a fresh wave of anti-migrant protests in recent months. Some demonstrations have turned violent, including incidents in which foreign shopkeepers and street vendors were targeted.
Most victims of the anti-migrant hostility have been black Africans. South Africa’s foreign resident population is estimated at about three million, with more than two-thirds coming from neighboring Southern African countries. Campaigners point to an unemployment rate above 30% and say migrants are being scapegoated for the country’s economic problems.
Journalists and commentators have warned that political actors are exploiting social media and economic distress to mobilize followers and build influence. Some mainstream parties, including Action SA and the Inkatha Freedom Party, have taken part in protests they describe as actions against undocumented migrants.
The trend has drawn international concern. On April 27, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply concerned by reports of xenophobic attacks, harassment and intimidation of migrants and foreign nationals, and stressed that violence and incitement to hatred have no place in a democratic society governed by the rule of law.
South Africa’s foreign affairs minister has warned that violence against migrants threatens the country’s constitutional order, and the police minister has reiterated a pledge of zero tolerance for xenophobic violence, looting and intimidation.