Vice-President Kashim Shettima has called on West African leaders to join forces against the rising wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
He reminded South Africa that countries like Nigeria made huge sacrifices during the anti-apartheid struggle, including deductions from students’ scholarship allowances to support liberation movements.
Speaking at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Sierra Leone, Shettima urged leaders to place the issue on the agenda of the next African Union summit.
He said ECOWAS must take a united stand to stop growing hostility toward fellow Africans. According to him, the regional bloc should speak with one voice to show that violence and discrimination against African migrants have no place on the continent.
“While we tread the path of moderation, South Africa should be reminded that the freedom the country currently enjoys is due to the liberation efforts of African countries such as Nigeria and Ghana.”
“Deductions were made from our scholarship allowances to fund liberation movements in Southern Africa.
“They should learn to know where their problem lies. Their problems do not lie with fellow Africans who are there to sell their skills,” he said.
Shettima made the remarks as diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa remain strained following fresh attacks on African migrants that have killed several Nigerians in recent months.
Nigeria has repeatedly condemned the killings, demanded justice for its citizens, and warned that tougher measures are still being considered if the attacks continue.
The vice-president said migrants should not be blamed for South Africa’s challenges, stressing that many of them contribute valuable skills to the country’s economy.
He also called for stronger action by the African Union, saying it should take a firm stand against xenophobia to protect Africans living across the continent.
His comments add to Nigeria’s stronger criticism of South Africa since anti-migrant violence increased in April.
Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu had earlier highlighted Nigeria’s major role in the anti-apartheid struggle.
“Nigeria sacrificed quite a lot, committed funds, committed resources to aid South Africa. In schools, seats were reserved for South African students.
“My own generation carried placards; we demonstrated in front of South African assets. Sometimes we even got arrested for doing this”, she said.
She added that Nigerians were unhappy with the treatment of black African migrants.
“They are not asking other migrants to leave; they’re only asking black migrants to leave,” she said.
The renewed diplomatic pressure followed another wave of anti-migrant protests that left at least four Nigerians dead.
The Federal Government later evacuated 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa in seven batches after rights groups issued an unofficial June 30 deadline asking migrants to leave the country.
Although Abuja has continued diplomatic talks with Pretoria, it has warned that retaliatory measures are still being considered if attacks on Nigerians persist.
