Former member of the Enugu State House of Assembly and former South-East spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, Okey Onoh, has disagreed with the South African Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, over the description of attacks against foreigners in South Africa as xenophobia.
Moroe had, during an interview, assured Nigerians that South Africa remained safe for tourists, business travellers and other visitors, while rejecting the characterisation of attacks against foreigners as xenophobia.
‘There’s no xenophobia in South Africa,’ Moroe said when asked about the attacks.
However, reacting in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, Onoh said the consul-general’s position did not reflect concerns raised by reports of attacks and discrimination against African migrants in South Africa.
Onoh, who is also chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, said South Africa had continued to face allegations of hostility towards migrants from other African countries.
He cited reports by advocacy groups and other organisations which, according to him, had documented incidents involving attacks on or discrimination against African migrants.
Onoh also referred to the activities of anti-immigrant groups in South Africa, including Operation Dudula, saying their campaigns had contributed to concerns about the safety and welfare of foreign nationals.
He further cited public opinion research which, he said, indicated growing anti-immigrant sentiments among sections of the South African population.
According to him, reports by international human rights organisations have also raised concerns over alleged attempts by vigilante groups to restrict migrants’ access to basic services, including healthcare and education.
Onoh argued that the challenges faced by South Africa, including crime and unemployment, should not be blamed on migrants from other African countries.
He said African migrants should not be made scapegoats for the country’s domestic socioeconomic challenges.
The former lawmaker also criticised what he described as the treatment of African migrants in South Africa, arguing that the country had an obligation to protect foreigners living, working or conducting legitimate business within its territory.
Onoh further called for greater protection of African migrants and urged African countries to reconsider their economic and diplomatic engagement with South Africa if attacks against foreigners continued.
He described the situation as a setback to the spirit of Pan-African solidarity, recalling the support provided by African countries during the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
According to him, African countries provided resources, diplomatic support and safe havens to people involved in the anti-apartheid struggle.
Onoh said the continent should not remain silent when African nationals faced attacks or discrimination in another African country.
He therefore called for what he described as a coordinated continental boycott of South Africa, arguing that countries had a responsibility to protect their citizens abroad.
Onoh also urged Nigerian citizens to exercise caution when travelling to South Africa and called on the Nigerian government to continue engaging South African authorities on the safety and welfare of Nigerians in the country.
He concluded by telling Moroe: ‘Keep your South Africa, we keep our Nigeria.’