Nigeria has summoned South Africa's acting High Commissioner to express outrage over a surge in attacks on foreign nationals, including Nigerians, in South Africa. The Nigerian foreign ministry stated that the meeting on Monday will formally convey "profound concern" over the incidents, warning they could damage bilateral relations.
Recent weeks have seen a wave of anti-immigrant marches and violence. Local media report at least two Nigerians and four Ethiopians have been killed, with businesses owned by foreigners targeted. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the attacks but urged foreigners to respect local laws. During his Freedom Day address, he reminded citizens of the support other African nations provided during the anti-apartheid struggle.
However, some South Africans accuse immigrants of taking jobs and being linked to crime, particularly drug trafficking. Anti-immigrant groups have been stopping people outside hospitals and schools to demand identity papers. In Pretoria, foreign-owned shops were urged to close to avoid violence. A Nigerian man told the BBC: "It is not okay because we are blacks, we are brothers... everybody comes here just to survive." A security guard unable to work due to protests said: "It's not what we expected as fellow Africans."
South Africa hosts about 2.4 million documented migrants, less than 4% of the population, with many more undocumented. Most come from neighboring Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, with a smaller number from Nigeria.