Nigeria-South Africa Rift Deepens as Anti-Migrant Protests Renew Tensions

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elations between Nigeria and South Africa are deteriorating again as anti-migrant protests, killings and disputes over the treatment of Nigerians threaten to reopen a diplomatic rift between two of Africa’s most influential countries.

The latest tensions follow a campaign by anti-immigration groups in South Africa calling on undocumented migrants to leave the country. Protesters have set September 30 as another unofficial deadline for undocumented foreigners to depart, although the demand has no legal force.

The renewed campaign comes only months after Nigerian and South African officials sought to ease tensions following violent anti-migrant demonstrations. Nigeria’s parliament has since suspended official visits and legislative engagements with South Africa, while Nigerian community representatives say some Nigerians are leaving the country, closing businesses, seeking safety near diplomatic facilities or keeping their children out of school.

The unrest has particularly affected Nigerians, who are among the most visible migrant communities in South Africa. Nigeria says nearly 100 of its nationals have died in mob attacks and other incidents linked to anti-migrant violence in South Africa since 2022.

At the center of the dispute is South Africa’s economic hardship. Protesters have blamed migrants for unemployment, pressure on public services and crime. Fola Aina, an international security analyst who teaches development studies at SOAS University of London, said economic insecurity can create an environment in which migrants become convenient targets for public frustration.

South African authorities have stressed that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the state. President Cyril Ramaphosa said in August that his government firmly rejected xenophobia, Afrophobia, vigilantism and discrimination against migrants.

But Nigerian officials and community representatives say the government’s response has not prevented further violence.

Fresh killings undermine efforts to ease tensions

The latest dispute has been intensified by the deaths of two more Nigerians in South Africa this month. Nigeria’s foreign ministry said Michael Taiwo Fakunle, a bishop, was shot dead at his Johannesburg home on September 4 after allegedly receiving threats.

A day later, James Uchechukwu Nwankwo died after what Nigeria described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” by South African police officers. South African police gave a different account, saying Nwankwo had been arrested on suspicion of drug possession and developed breathing difficulties while being transported to a police station. Police said an inquest had been opened and that there were no visible signs that he had been assaulted.

Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini, Femi Fani-Kayode, said eight Nigerians had been killed in South Africa this year, four allegedly by police officers. He warned that Nigeria’s patience was running thin and said continued killings could have consequences for bilateral relations.

The deaths came just two months after South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola traveled to Abuja for talks aimed at reducing tensions. The two governments condemned xenophobic violence and discussed measures to protect foreign nationals.

The discussions followed a wave of unrest that intensified around June 30, when groups including the March and March movement called on undocumented migrants to leave South Africa. Thousands of foreign nationals sought to depart, and Nigerian officials said nearly 1,700 Nigerians voluntarily evacuated during the year.

South African government figures show that more than 86,000 foreign nationals were processed for repatriation and deportation between June 14 and August 20, with Malawians representing the largest group.

Dispute extends to diplomacy and financial costs

The latest deterioration has already spilled into political relations. Nigeria’s parliament suspended official visits and legislative engagements with South Africa as anger grew over attacks against Nigerians.

Aina said the decision demonstrated the growing political significance of the issue in Nigeria, although he cautioned that it should not necessarily be interpreted as a complete breakdown in bilateral relations. Existing government contacts and agreements remain in place, he said, but the move signals that normal relations cannot continue without addressing the violence.

The two countries are also divided over the financial consequences of the unrest. Nigeria has sought compensation for citizens who lost property and businesses during the June violence. South Africa, meanwhile, has said it intends to seek reimbursement from African governments for the costs associated with repatriating and deporting their citizens.

Nigeria has said it has not received a formal request from South Africa for reimbursement. South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs said it intends to pursue the matter through diplomatic channels rather than through the courts.

The dispute has significance beyond migration because Nigeria and South Africa are major economic and political powers on the continent. Their relationship has repeatedly been strained by disputes over migration and xenophobic violence, including major tensions in 2015 and 2019.

Analysts warn that another prolonged confrontation could damage commercial ties and complicate cooperation on regional security and economic integration. Aina said continued tensions could also undermine broader African efforts toward continental solidarity and free movement.

For now, the renewed protests and allegations of violence have revived a familiar cycle: attacks or threats against migrants trigger anger in Nigeria, diplomatic relations become strained, and both governments attempt to restore ties. The latest crisis suggests that the underlying tensions over migration, economic insecurity and the protection of foreign nationals remain unresolved.

(Source: CNN)