By Emmanuel Nduka
Nigerian and South African lawmakers have clashed sharply over the description of violence against foreign nationals in South Africa, with a heated exchange erupting at the 55th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region Conference in Lilongwe, Malawi.
The diplomatic row centred on whether attacks targeting foreign nationals should be unequivocally described as xenophobia or viewed primarily through the lens of illegal immigration and the enforcement of national immigration laws.
Nigerian delegates insisted that the recurring attacks on foreigners in South Africa amount to xenophobic violence and should be identified as such, arguing that the issue goes beyond immigration status.
They raised concerns that even foreign nationals with valid documentation have been targeted during mob attacks, while questioning the effectiveness of law enforcement in preventing violence and protecting migrants.
South African lawmakers, however, pushed back against the characterization, arguing that the debate should also recognize the country’s right to control its borders, enforce immigration laws and deal with illegal immigration.
The disagreement reportedly became heated as both sides defended their respective positions before fellow African parliamentarians attending the conference.
The clash came as more than 300 lawmakers, parliamentary officials and other delegates from 17 African countries gathered at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe for the conference, which runs from August 9 to 16.
The conference is being hosted by the Parliament of Malawi under the theme, “Renewing the Social Contract: Parliaments as Catalysts for Inclusive Growth and Citizen Trust”.
Although the gathering is focused on democracy, human rights, governance, inclusive development and regional cooperation, the dispute between the Nigerian and South African delegations brought the long-running problem of attacks against African migrants in South Africa to the centre of discussions.
Nigeria’s position reflects longstanding concerns over the treatment of its citizens and other African nationals in South Africa, where incidents of mob violence, harassment and attacks on foreign-owned businesses have repeatedly triggered diplomatic tensions.
The Nigerian delegation’s argument was that immigration enforcement cannot be used to justify or obscure violence against foreigners, particularly where victims are targeted because of their nationality or perceived foreign origin.
South African representatives, meanwhile, maintained that the country’s immigration challenges and the presence of undocumented migrants must form part of any meaningful discussion about tensions involving foreign nationals.
The dispute highlights a deeper and unresolved continental debate over the movement of Africans across borders, xenophobia, irregular migration and the responsibility of governments to protect both citizens and foreign nationals living within their territories.
It also exposes the delicate diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and South Africa, two of Africa’s most influential countries, whose ties have repeatedly been tested by incidents involving Nigerian nationals in South Africa.
Previous bilateral discussions have raised concerns over the deaths of Nigerian citizens in mob and hate-related violence in South Africa, with at least 98 Nigerians reportedly killed since 2022.
The latest confrontation in Lilongwe therefore risks further spotlighting an issue that has remained a sensitive point in relations between Abuja and Pretoria, even as both governments continue to emphasise the importance of bilateral cooperation.
The Malawi conference is expected to continue deliberations on democratic governance, human rights and regional cooperation, but the explosive exchange between the Nigerian and South African lawmakers has underscored one of Africa’s most difficult problems on how the continent can promote free movement and African integration while addressing illegal migration without allowing foreigners to become targets of violence.
