Nigeria–South Africa: Parliament suspends official visits following anti-migrant violence

The Nigerian Parliament announced on Friday, September 11, the indefinite suspension of its official visits to South Africa in response to anti-migrant violence affecting African nationals, including Nigerians. This measure adds further strain to the relationship between Abuja and Pretoria.

According to a statement from the National Assembly clerk, Kamoru Ogunlana, reported by the Associated Press, Parliament expressed concern over reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced, or forced to abandon their businesses and properties amid recurring violence in South Africa. The suspension pertains to the Parliament’s official engagements with the country.

The crisis has escalated since the beginning of the year. The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the deaths of two nationals in South Africa in July and organized several evacuation operations. On July 14, Abuja reported that it had already repatriated 1,490 Nigerians affected by xenophobic violence.

For its part, the South African government claims to have strengthened migration management and condemns acts of vigilantism as well as violence against foreigners. In an update published on September 8, Pretoria reported nearly 90,000 people repatriated, while assuring that immigration control operations must remain governed by law and respect for human rights.

Bilateral relations under pressure

Tensions between the two countries are not new. In May, Nigeria summoned the acting South African high commissioner following protests targeting foreigners. Since then, Abuja has intensified diplomatic efforts to seek better protection for its nationals and a regional response to the violence.

The decision announced on Friday pertains to the Nigerian Parliament’s visits and official engagements. At this stage, it does not include any announcement of a break in diplomatic relations between the two governments, which maintain significant economic and political ties within the African Union and BRICS.

In South Africa, authorities attribute part of the tensions to pressure on employment, public services, and the management of irregular immigration, while reiterating that individuals cannot replace law enforcement. The government has notably strengthened border controls and repatriation measures in recent months.

The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already indicated this summer that evacuations of nationals from South Africa would continue as needed. The suspension decided by Parliament comes as the safety of migrants remains a major point of friction in the relationship between Abuja and Pretoria.