By Ebi Kesiena
The Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce has called for calm, dialogue and stronger bilateral cooperation following recent xenophobic unrest in South Africa.
Chairman of the chamber, Dr. Ije Jidenma, made the appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos, expressing concern over the growing tensions and their impact on communities, businesses and livelihoods.
Jidenma noted that the unrest had affected Nigerians and other African nationals residing in South Africa, while also posing risks to South African businesses and the broader investment climate across the continent.
She acknowledged steps already taken by the Federal Government, including diplomatic engagements, investigations, legislative measures and voluntary evacuations aimed at addressing the situation.
“As an organisation committed to fostering strong economic and cultural ties between Nigeria and South Africa, we emphasise that moments like this call for restraint and constructive engagements,” she said.
According to her, both countries share a long-standing relationship founded on mutual respect, trade, cooperation and a collective vision for Africa’s prosperity.
“These values must remain at the forefront during periods of tension such as this,” Jidenma added.
She urged governments, community leaders, civil society organisations and citizens to prioritise peaceful dialogue and uphold the rule of law, stressing that the safety and protection of all residents, regardless of nationality, remain critical to sustaining trust and stability.
The NSACC chairman further called for sustained collaboration between Nigerian and South African authorities to tackle underlying issues fueling the unrest, prevent further escalation and strengthen mechanisms for conflict resolution and social cohesion.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected. We remain committed to working alongside our partners to promote unity, economic resilience and renewed focus on the shared opportunities that bind our two nations,” she stated.
