Nigeria Won’t Tolerate Dehumanisation Of Citizens In South Africa – Shettima Warns

• Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that Nigeria will no longer tolerate the humiliation, dehumanisation or mistreatment of its citizens in South Africa.

• Shettima condemned recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans, but said Nigeria would continue to pursue dialogue and peaceful engagement with South Africa.

• He reminded South Africans of Nigeria’s historic role in the liberation struggles in Southern Africa, saying Nigerians were deeply pained by reports of their compatriots being subjected to degrading treatment.

• The Vice President urged South African authorities to protect the lives and dignity of Nigerians and other African nationals while enforcing the country’s immigration laws.

August 31, () — Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that Nigeria will no longer tolerate the dehumanisation, humiliation or mistreatment of its citizens in South Africa, even as the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to resolving bilateral concerns through dialogue.

Shettima issued the warning on Monday in Luanda, Angola, during an interview with newsmen shortly before his departure for Nigeria.

The Vice President had represented President Bola Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), held in Luanda on Saturday.

His remarks came against the backdrop of Nigeria’s renewed concerns over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks involving Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.

Shettima said the Nigerian government would continue to make its position unequivocally clear whenever the safety, dignity and fundamental rights of its citizens were threatened.

He, however, stressed that Nigeria was not seeking confrontation with South Africa, insisting that the two countries could resolve their differences through robust diplomatic engagement.

“Those whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits should learn to be humble”, Shettima said, invoking Nigeria’s historic contribution to the liberation of Southern African countries.

“We were part of the struggle for the liberation of our brothers and sisters in Southern Africa, and we feel personally pained that our people have been picked up for humiliation.

“The government and people of Nigeria will no longer countenance a situation whereby our people are dehumanised and put into very unacceptable situations.

“But, we believe in having very robust conversations with our South African brothers.

“We don’t want to overheat the polity, but onc Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that Nigeria will no longer tolerate the humiliation, dehumanisation or mistreatment of its citizens in South Africa.

Nigeria Demands Respect For Citizens

The Vice President condemned xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks and called on South African authorities to ensure that immigration enforcement did not become a basis for violating the rights or dignity of foreign nationals.

He maintained that while South Africa had the sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, such enforcement must be carried out within the bounds of respect for human rights and human dignity.

The Federal Government’s position is consistent with Tinubu’s intervention at the AU extraordinary session, where the President formally raised Nigeria’s concerns over recurring attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa.

Tinubu, who was represented by Shettima at the Luanda meeting, called on the AU to place the issue on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027.

The President had urged African leaders to strengthen continental efforts against xenophobia and Afrophobia through dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action.

Historic Nigeria-South Africa Ties

Nigeria and South Africa have maintained important political, economic and diplomatic relations and have historically been influential players in efforts to address conflicts and promote stability on the African continent.

Nigeria played a significant role in supporting liberation movements and anti-apartheid struggles in Southern Africa, including through diplomatic, political and material support.

The historic relationship has, however, occasionally been strained by incidents involving Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa.

Xenophobic violence and anti-immigrant sentiments have periodically triggered concerns in Nigeria, with Nigerians sometimes among those affected by attacks, harassment and other forms of discrimination.

The issue has remained particularly sensitive because of the extensive movement of Nigerians to South Africa for business, employment, education and other activities, as well as the strong commercial links between both countries.