Nigerian and South African lawmakers have clashed over the description and underlying causes of attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa during the ongoing Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Africa Region Conference in Malawi.
The disagreement occurred during a session at the conference, which has brought together more than 300 parliamentarians and officials from across the region to deliberate on democracy, human rights, regional cooperation and other issues affecting the continent.
Nigerian delegates insisted that the violence directed at foreigners in South Africa should be unequivocally described as xenophobia, stressing that attacks targeting people because of their nationality should not be given alternative descriptions.
However, South African lawmakers pushed back against the characterization, arguing that discussions on the issue should also consider illegal immigration and the enforcement of the country’s immigration laws.
The differing positions sparked a heated exchange between representatives of the two countries, reflecting the longstanding sensitivity surrounding attacks on African nationals in South Africa.
The Nigerian delegation maintained that concerns over immigration should not be used to justify violence or attacks against foreign nationals, while the South African side argued that the broader immigration situation must be considered when addressing tensions involving migrants.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Africa Region Conference provides a platform for lawmakers from member countries to engage on issues affecting governance, human rights, development and relations among African states.
The confrontation over the xenophobia debate highlights the continuing diplomatic and political sensitivities between Nigeria and South Africa over the treatment of foreign nationals and the need for stronger regional cooperation in addressing migration-related challenges.
