Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on West African leaders to adopt a united stance against the resurgence of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, urging the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to place the issue on the agenda of the next African Union Summit.
Speaking at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Shettima reminded South Africa of the sacrifices made by African countries, particularly Nigeria and Ghana, during the struggle against apartheid.
The Vice President recalled that generations of Nigerian students contributed financially to the liberation of Southern Africa through deductions from their scholarship allowances, stressing that fellow Africans should not now be subjected to violence and discrimination.
He urged ECOWAS leaders to speak with one voice against xenophobia, describing attacks on African migrants as unacceptable and calling for a coordinated regional response.
According to him, the African Union must also take a firm position to safeguard the rights and safety of Africans living and working across member states.
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Shettima maintained that migrants should not be blamed for South Africa’s socio economic challenges, noting that many African professionals and skilled workers make significant contributions to the country’s economy.
His remarks come amid renewed diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and South Africa following fresh attacks on African migrants, which have reportedly claimed the lives of several Nigerians in recent months.
Earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, also recalled Nigeria’s historic support for the anti apartheid struggle, saying the country committed enormous financial and material resources to South Africa’s liberation, including providing scholarships for South African students.
She expressed concern that black African migrants appeared to be the primary targets of the attacks and urged South Africa to address the situation.
The renewed diplomatic pressure follows a fresh wave of anti migrant protests in South Africa that reportedly left at least four Nigerians dead. The Federal Government has since evacuated 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa in seven batches and says all diplomatic options remain under consideration if the attacks persist.
