President Bola Tinubu has reportedly declined to receive a special envoy sent by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, amid renewed concerns over South Africa xenophobia and attacks targeting Nigerians living in the country. The development follows reports of the death of a Nigerian national in Cape Town and comes as diplomatic tensions between both countries continue over the protection of citizens.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the South African delegation, led by the country’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja on Friday, July 24, carrying what was described as a “very important message” from President Ramaphosa. However, the delegation was reportedly unable to secure an audience with President Tinubu.
Diplomatic sources said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, advised the Presidency that the timing was inappropriate for such a meeting. According to the sources, she cited the continued attacks on Nigerians, their businesses and properties in South Africa, arguing that further engagement should depend on concrete commitments from Pretoria.
The minister was also said to have insisted that South Africa should first present a signed copy of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Early Warning Mechanism (EWM), signed by both countries in Abuja on October 22 last year. Nigerian officials reportedly expressed concern that South Africa has yet to ratify the agreement, describing the reasons provided for the delay as inadequate.
The Early Warning Mechanism was established to strengthen cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa in monitoring security threats, protecting citizens, addressing consular issues and preventing xenophobic attacks and other criminal acts against nationals of both countries. Officials also noted that the framework could support compensation claims for Nigerians whose businesses and properties were destroyed during previous attacks.
The diplomatic development occurred less than 24 hours after reports emerged of the death of Chika Ibe, a Nigerian who allegedly died after an encounter with members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Bellville, Cape Town. According to South African authorities, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has opened an investigation into the incident, while an initial post-mortem reportedly found that the deceased sustained multiple bruises and abrasions.
The Western Cape Police stated that Ibe became unwell while officers attempted to arrest him during an operation in which police said they recovered an unlicensed firearm and suspected drugs. However, video footage reportedly obtained from members of the Nigerian community in South Africa presented a different account of the incident, prompting protests by Nigerians at the scene.
Nigeria has maintained its opposition to South Africa xenophobia and attacks on its citizens. At the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Lungi, Sierra Leone, Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Tinubu, condemned the attacks and said Nigeria would advocate stronger measures against xenophobia at the African Union. He also disclosed that the Federal Government had evacuated 1,490 Nigerians affected by previous xenophobic violence and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with regional and continental institutions to improve the protection of African citizens across the continent.
