President Bola Tinubu's former South-East spokesman, Josef Onoh, has condemned recent comments by Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, regarding the ongoing xenophobic violence against Nigerians in South Africa. In a statement made available on Friday, Onoh described the minister's characterization of the attacks as "just a phase" that could be managed through routine diplomatic channels as "profoundly disappointing" and "dangerously out of touch."
Onoh's Criticism
According to Onoh, the remarks undermine the suffering of Nigerians and other African nationals, normalize recurring xenophobic crises, and erode Nigeria's leadership role in Africa. "Facts on the ground cannot be downplayed," Onoh said, citing recent incidents in South Africa, including the deaths of Nigerians Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew, widespread looting, and displacement of families.
Vigilante Groups and Historical Context
He highlighted the growing role of vigilante groups such as "March and March" and echoes of Operation Dudula, warning that deadlines set for foreign nationals to leave South Africa signal a serious threat to African residents. Onoh emphasized that this is not an isolated situation. He traced similar outbreaks of violence in 2008, 2015, and 2019, pointing to persistent patterns of Afrophobic targeting of Black African migrants while non-African nationals largely remain unharmed. He also noted that Nigeria has begun repatriating affected citizens, with 268 Nigerians arriving in Lagos on June 11, 2026.
Call for Stronger Action
The former lawmaker called on the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs to recognize the international legal obligations of South Africa to protect foreign nationals under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. "Failure to act constitutes a breach of international law, especially when security forces are implicated," he said.
Onoh urged the Nigerian government to take stronger diplomatic and protective measures, including protests, potential sanctions, and economic reciprocity, rather than relying on "partnership optics." He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's intervention but warned that minimizing the crisis weakens Nigeria's moral and legal leverage.
Continental Crisis
"This is not a bilateral 'Nigeria-South Africa misunderstanding.' It is a continental crisis threatening Pan-African unity," Onoh said, pointing out that other African nations, including Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, have already issued travel alerts or evacuated citizens. He stressed that Nigeria's historical support for South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle makes any downplaying of current attacks particularly unacceptable.
In conclusion, Onoh called on the minister and the federal government to adopt a firmer, more assertive approach, asserting that anything less would betray both the Nigerian people and the ideals of African solidarity.
