Nigerian and South African diplomats hold tense meeting over xenophobic violence in South Africa

Nigeria accused Pretoria of "complicity" in anti-migrant demonstrations. South Africa has experienced months of protests, sometimes violent, against African migrants blamed for unemployment, crime, and burdening public services. During the meeting, high-ranking diplomats acknowledged Nigeria's historical support for South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle.

However, the Nigerian delegation criticized Pretoria's handling of the protests, with Nigerian Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Sola Enikanolaiye stating that even legal Nigerian residents in South Africa had been attacked. He added that police appeared to be "powerless to manage the situation." South African police reported at least four foreign deaths linked to the protests, though some African governments repatriating their citizens cited higher figures.

Over 160,000 foreigners have left South Africa since late May due to anti-undocumented migrant demonstrations. Nigeria plans to repatriate approximately 1,500 of its citizens. Ghana and Nigeria have been particularly vocal in their criticism of the South African government's response.

The South African delegation, while acknowledging President Cyril Ramaphosa's stance against intolerance, asserted the country's right to address "irregular migration, undocumented immigrants, including criminal acts." Analysts suggest that South Africa, facing high unemplo